Not long now, not long at all. Dec. 25 sure seems to sneak up faster and faster every year. I wonder if it’s possible time is really speeding up or maybe it’s just a sign that I’ve been in this adult business longer than I realized.
Surely, I’ve seen everything by now. Spoiled children reforming, Grinch-like hearts swelling with the joy of Christmas miracles, Scrooges opening their eyes to values beyond the materialistic, and it never gets boring or repetitive, but rather heartwarming and joyful. At this point, it would take a lot to surprise this seasoned, seasonal veteran. Although I am still waiting for any of these scenarios to apply to politicians both here and across the border.
I’ve even seen the goofy side of Christmas. You know, those stories that at the time, may hurt the pride, but turn out to make the best stories 10 years later? I’ve written about these before. Last season’s mishap turns into this season’s mashup and sure to evoke some laughter and some of our Christmas pasts.
Our daughter lost her first tooth on Christmas Eve. Bless her four-year-old wonderment as her spunky older cousin asked her if she’d like to see her karate chop. “Hiiighhh- YA!” And that was it, poor little offspring now understood a whole new meaning for “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth.” I guarantee this is one of those tales told year after year because as new parents, who ever expected Santa and the Tooth Fairy to arrive the same night?
Or the story of a man (we’ll call him Kris) whose procrastination put him in a bit of a slippery situation. You see, Kris was a busy man, one who liked to avoid putting up his Christmas decorations. And one year, he waited so long to put them up, he was forced to climb atop his one-and-a-half-story house, in the middle of a blizzard to hang his lights. Little did he suspect, such untimeliness of his contribution to the Christmas atmosphere of the neighbourhood would land him stuck on his roof for two hours as he stared down at his ladder on the ground. Thanks to cellphones, he was rescued. Kris may have even been a member of this lovely community of yours.
Yes, all these delightful stories have certainly brought many a smile to my face, and the occasional tear to my eye. Although, I have to say; Christmas isn’t what it once was. People just get more and more caught up in the petty details and the insatiable need to have bigger, bolder, more expensive gifts and decorations to show off.
For myself, I stare in wonder as person after person succumbs to the wily temptations of marketing “genius” and consumerism. Christmas hits our shelves before Halloween is scarcely over, or in some places, at the same time. In the wise words of Charlie Brown, “Good grief.”
I just don’t understand why humans, get so caught up in these things, only to find they are unhappy anyway. What happened to the spirit of giving back to those who make an impact in your life daily? Or volunteering to help improve the quality of the holiday season for those less fortunate? Oh wait, I do see those things, in your community and in the one I live in to. All you have to do is look around. While Christmas may be the theme for these give-back efforts, it’s the true spirit of Christmas that inspires them.
It's like the Grinch was right, “Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store, maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”
And, I promise you, the stories and actions you hear about and read about are only a portion of what’s taking place as many Christmas ‘elves and fairies’ choose to remain anonymous.
This editorial invoked many of the warm, fuzzy feelings I get about Christmas but I will close with two of my favourite holiday quotes:
Peace on earth will come to stay, when we live Christmas every day.” — Helen Steiner Rice
“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” —Hamilton Wright Mabie
