Some of us probably should reconsider how we celebrate the holidays. But most of us will not. We will probably get caught up in the pace of the season. It’s a love hate cycle that begins the day after Thanksgiving. It goes back to the first time we sat on Santa’s lap and we asked him for all the things we wanted for Christmas. From that moment on, we knew that the holidays would always be special.
Our childhood memories add to the excitement and the fun and joy of the holiday season. It disrupts the rhythm of our ordinary days. It can be a pleasant reprieve from the demands and expectations of our daily lives. It does however kick us into an even higher gear. A pace that can give us overwhelming fatigue if we do not take control. After all it’s the holidays. The understood excuse for jovial celebrations. Often too many of us will feel overwhelming stress.
Every year we say “its too much of everything I can’t wait until the holidays are over ”
Yet, we appear to thrive on the chaos, the stress, and the shopping for that perfect gift. Most of us will enjoy decorating the house and planning or attending a holiday gathering with friends or family. The special foods we prepare for our loved ones and friends keeps us busy and yes if we admit it, sometimes stressed. Maybe this is not the most sincere expression of our love.
Much can be learned from the most humble of homes, where this celebration can be something that provides the opportunity to come together to celebrate. To prepare for and enjoy the spirit of the holidays. Is this the common denominator of all people from around the world ? It need not be extravagant to be beautiful. Simple candles and religious hymns and holiday music is the ultimate ambiance for this special time of year. It is about the faiths of many people who celebrate holidays this time of year.
Attending our worship services , singing carols, making cookies and sending cards to friends is part of it all. It is the busiest of seasons and sometimes the best. There are many who start shopping earlier during the year. This can lessen some stress. There are some of us who love the last minute excitement, it is part of the thrill and the fun. Some shoppers say that is when they get the best buys.
If you were to reconsider how you want to spend your holidays. You would most likely agree that it is about having just “a little something,” like homemade cookies to give to your good neighbor or to your best friend. That is the holiday feeling and what it is all about.
For others they may decide to take a cruise or a vacation instead.
The joy of sharing and celebrating holidays is our gift to one another. We need to have the holidays in our lives. Some of us need to invite others to join us in our celebrations.