Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

 

I had a nostalgic thought several months ago.  It literally brought tears to my eyes - I miss Christmas.  I miss everything about it.  

Simply thinking about Christmas, I am immediately transported to a time when people are happier, friendlier - more joyous.  Strangers wish me Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Kwanzaa or Hanukkah too. I miss the gentle lights that frame my mantle. Their warm glow brings me actual warmth and happiness. I miss the twinkling of colored lights that illuminate my windows, the snowflake light my dad gave me.  I love every element of this season. The Christmas tree, the manger scenes, the advent calendars - I miss Christmas.

It's not the commercialization of the season that I miss, but the coming of a baby-everything I do has to do with Him.  Even within the hustle and bustle of the season, every present I purchase, every candle I light, every time I sing Jingle Bells- it all goes back to the little babe, lying in a manger. 

I’m the ebullient little toddler on my mom’s lap.  I’m sure there isn’t a thing wrong in my world.  We are all together (Dad is behind the camera), and it’s Christmas Eve. I was two years old in this photo, but it’s how I feel every Christmas season.  At two years old, I don't think I had much of a grasp on what this time was really about.  But I was a happy little girl here.  I may not have her expression that was captured in this photo, but it’s inside me - just below the surface. 

We are just a short time away from my favorite holiday.  I go through my days with a happy, fluttery feeling inside – it feels like anticipation – as if something wonderful is about to happen.  It could be all the caffeine or maybe adrenaline …but probably not.  Christmas is about to happen!  The tree is about to go up!  I'll be burning Paine’s Balsam Fir incense in its little log cabin holder and decorate to my heart’s content, write out my Christmas cards and say Merry Christmas to complete strangers. I think we need to make some wassail too!  Man, I'm excited!

 If you happen to see me in February, July or September… I’ll be thinking of Christmas then, too.  I will be silently counting down the days until I can decorate without hearing the whine "It's too early".  You see, that feeling - it lives in me every day of the year.  

So, Merry Christmas my friends!   Live in the moment, it’s what it’s for.