I finished wrapping the last of my gifts less than an hour ago and stood gazing at the tree. Somewhere I lost count of the number of presents. Christmas morning will consist of a variety of people coming in and out through out the day, and all the packages, ribbons, and bows will be tossed aside, saved for next year, or used for another purpose.
This year my husband added an electric Christmas train, little red caboose and all, to our decorating collection. We’d been down at Sea Island, Georgia, for Thanksgiving and the Cloister had one at the Beach Club. Rolando couldn’t find one fast enough. And like a ten-year-old boy, he set the track up and all the cars with such delight. The whistling sounds as it encircles our tree is warm and inviting.
Our tree is filled with ornaments. Ornaments made by my children over the years; ornaments found at various places my family has traveled over the years; and ornaments made every year by my mom. She is an artist and one of her many talents is painting porcelain. Since my oldest daughter Collier was born, my mom has been making ornaments for my children. This year, I packed away all of Collier’s ornaments so she can have them in her new home with her new husband.
And all seems right with the world even though I know the world is anything but right…
The celebrations have already begun. Families are organizing and getting together days before the big day because it is impossible to fit it all in. While the season is the most wonderful time of the year, it can also be exhausting, overwhelming, disappointing, and heart breaking. It can be consumed by family guilt, past issues, and conflict. But, it doesn’t have to be.
- Be a Jingle Bell. It isn’t hard to do. Determine you will be the “bell” of the ball, only in this case, the Christmas Day Festivities. Bells ring. Bells shine. Bells make joyful noises. If it is out of character for a bell, it will be out of character for you. Behave like a bell. Who can have issues with a bell?
- Do some Ho!Ho!Ho!ing. He is the Jolliest man in town! If you have to wear a Santa hat to become the part – do so. Santa is a giver. He is a doer. He is a game changer. When Santa shows up, it changes everything. Be the Santa Claus in the room. Who doesn’t like Santa?
- Yuletide the Carols. Sing like the Angels. That’s right – sing. Sing while you are cooking. Sing while cleaning. Sing while distributing packages and while picking up the paper. There is a reason we love Christmas Carolers – songs make us joyful.
- Express gratitude. Be grateful for the gifts you receive; for the time spent with family members; for the conversations shared; and for any efforts made by those around you. Gratitude is just as contagious as negativism; but, it sure is more pleasant.
- Watch for Reindeer. Try to find Santa’s foot prints. Join in the magic and believe it! The excitement of Christmas comes from the eyes of children. See Christmas like children do.
