I have a co-worker who is a Jehovah's Witness. We were talking about the holidays and his decision to not celebrate because of his faith. He said that he always feels a little relieved that he's not caught up in this hustle and bustle of December that most of the rest of us go through.
Well, when my children were young, I loved Christmas. It was such a diversion to take time out of the drugery of diapers to plan, shop, bake and; yes, even, wrap. I loved family parties and doing the 12 days of Christmas to needy families and the whole show.
But I'm older now. Am I tired? Perhaps. Maybe I've just cooked one too many turkeys. Perhaps it's just that I don't have time for diversions. Then too, somewhere along the line, the diversions turned into have-to's.
Bottom line; I'm not feelin' the holidays much this year. To me December just means extra work and then the lead in to year-end with it's tax preparation, W2's, and updates, updates, updates to our computer software at work.
Blah, blah, blah.
So to keep it short. I will ONLY list 3 things that are irking me this season.
1. Junk e-mails. What the what??? Just because I sent a gift basket with your english muffins once two years ago to my sister in NC does not mean that I will succumb to the 30 e-mails you have sent me in the last 15 days. Do you hear that Wolferman's? And don't even get me started on JC Penney. Delete. Delete. Delete.
2. Crowds. Never liked them. Never will. And how can Toys R Us possibly be this busy on a Wednesday afternoon at 3:00 p.m.? I deliberately took a late lunch because I thought it would be a ghost town if I waited. Was I ever wrong.
3. Turkey. Yeah, I loved it as a kid, liked it as a young mother. Not so much now. Can there be a meal that takes more crazy kitchen antics? Mashing the potatoes while you're stirring the gravy while you're checking the rolls and don't forget the stuffing all while the turkey sits majestically lording over all laughing inside while watching my kitchen gymnastics. Is there a crockpot large enough for a big bird that I could throw the gravy mix in and have it done?
Now that you've listened to that rant, I will share what is still and probably forever will be one of my favorite parts of Christmas.
The lights.
Ah, yes. From the time when I was small and we would drive around as a family, I've loved to look at the lights. There was a man on the old Murray-Holladay road that would run his hose over some giant bushes and paint the resulting ice with food color and then light it up with floodlights. How we loved to drive by it every year to oh and ah. Good times.
The lights still give me a warm little feeling in my cold heart. And when January comes and the Christmas lights are turned off, the whole world seems more than a little dark to me. Something like what our lives are like without the Savior's presence. And then, I remember the reason for it all.
Ah, yes. The Light of the World.
Stocking Candy Cookies
1 year ago
6 comments:
You little Scrooge! You've got to stop writing blogs in the middle of the night! Of course you are going to be grumpy!!! Just think how fun it will be to see sweet Pete open presents
Oh and maybe you should listen to the first presidency Christmas devotional. Pres uchdorf talked about not being grinches!!!
This post brings tears to my eyes and warms my cold heart.
I am tired of trying to fulfill expectations, and long for simplicity and gratitude.
I remember that house with the colorfully lit-up frozen water over the bushes. We drove by and marveled at it too.
The lights also brighten my worn and weary soul. As does non-commercial Christmas music, which I define as Christmas music sung by choirs or children who sound like children or individuals like Bing Crosby. Not so much Mariah Carey or Beyonce, but The Chipmunks, okay.
word verification: presse
Sounds French for "get busy and get everything done"
Gilian, Yes! Your second sentence sums it up. I wonder who started all these expectations. I'm afraid it was me.
And I second the motion on the Christmas music. You were eloquent in separating what is Christmas Music and was is Christmas MUZAK. Maybe I need to play more of the good stuff.
We need to get together at some cheesily decorated IHOP soon!
I totally understand where you were coming from in this frustration my dear friend! This is not a holiday for adults, and the commercial world has adulterated it beyond belief.
This is a holiday for children. It is a holiday for the child within us. That child is not bound by the need to have, have, have because a child is as happy playing in the box, and often more so than playing with the toy!
So remember in all of this frantic paced season that is so out of character from what it was originally designed for; remember that child within you that peaked out at the end.
The only point of this holiday that matters is the Love that is shared (and I send you a heaping spoonful!) and you are surrounded by that with your family!
When you can touch the Light within... the light that shines... the rest will come that matters.
I understand where you're coming from. December is way too over-booked. But I'm so excited to have Christmas with Peter. THAT is the part that is worth looking forward to. And as you said, we have to remember what the purpose of Christmas really is...because that puts everything into perspective.
But I'll tell you this...I'm going to say "yes" to a lot fewer things/obligations/events next year! That's for sure!
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