I’m not much of a shopper - especially in the Christmas season. I’m confused by the commercial drama of the season. Merchants encourage us to spend money we don’t have to “green-up” the economy. The jingle of Christmas joy has become the jingle of our coins in the country’s cash registers. I miss the jingle of bells to celebrate thetrue reason for the season instead of the economy.
So, I’m on my annual search for the spirit of Christmas. Some years it’s elusive and in hiding. This year seemed like one of those years.
But I found the spirit today – twice! I saw the spirit of Christmas in the smiles and eyes of the adults I work with in the class for differently-abled in my church. I heard it in their laughter and as they sang carols about the first Christmas – a choir of happy, but off-key voices making a truly joyful noise. Theirs is a simple world uncomplicated by the worries of the economy, environment and politics. I’m glad I got to share their enthusiastic and joyful appreciation of this season.
I felt the spirit of Christmas the second time when my husband and I went to cut our Christmas tree. It now fills our living room with the scent and color of our native cedars. Its magic brings back wonderful and nostalgic memories with the ornaments of our family life. Each tells a story – from the inexpensive gold bells and simple blue glass balls from our first Christmas as a couple (48 years ago) to the clothespin reindeer tucked into the branches from our sons’ grade school crafts and the ones picked up as travel souvenirs. Our Christmas tree has become our seasonal family tree of memories to share as we gather together.
My wish is that you may find your gift of the Christmas spirit in spite of the hustle and bustle of the season. Better still - may the spirit of Christmas find you. Like most memorable gifts – it’ll be where and when you least expect it – like the first Christmas in a simple stable with simple, common people celebrating a wondrous birth.
Merry Christmas!
