Christmas has always been one of – if not – the favorite day of the year for me. It is both a wonderful holiday and my birthday.
Our days follow a familiar flow starting with my children coming in to sing happy birthday before we move to the kitchen table and exchange hand made gifts and cards. Their thoughtfulness never fail to warm my heart and moisten my eyes. Later, we take a break opening Santa’s gifts to have a birthday breakfast of bagels, capers, salmon, onion and tomato before continuing opening gifts – each of us patiently watching the other open one gift at a time before it’s our turn. Once the giving has ended, we turn our attention to making dinner which this year featured a version of surf and turf – with tender beef brisket and lobster tail. Our kids break away to enjoy their presents, put them away or show their friends their haul, until we come back together, enjoy some birthday pumpkin pie and nestle on the couch to watch a holiday movie. This year’s was aptly named “The Holiday.’
When I was younger, December 26th was among my least favorite days of the year. A child’s realization that he must now wait 364 days to receive another present leaves a scar. As I’ve gotten older, other misgivings also follow. The leftovers stuff the fridge and aren’t quite as good the second or third time around. Some of the gifts that brought smiles out of the box don’t feel as good worn and need to be exchanged. The messiness and clutter of gifts and wrapping paper which were charming on Christmas can feel claustrophobic just a day later. The lists that were all marked off in time for the holidays are now replaced by a new list of things to do to prepare for holiday travel and the new year that awaits.
This disparity of the day before and the day after got me thinking. What a difference a day makes AND what is the real difference?
On Christmas, we are present. There is no place to be. Nothing to do beside being with and for each other. The sentiment is perfectly captured in the classic, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ with its opening verse:
“Have yourself a merry little Christmas. Let your heart be light. From now on, our troubles will be out of sight”
The lightness we feel, the receding of our troubles for just a day are part of what makes the day so magical.
It is understandable in the days that follow that our hearts feel heavier, our troubles closer. But need they be? Later in the song, it talks about the joy we feel in “faithful friends” and the hopes that in the “years, we will all be together – if the fates allow.” It is a reminder that when we focus on what’s most important, feel grateful for those we love and those that love us and live in a giving spirit – all of our days can have a little bit more merriness to them.
So as the new year approaches, I hope you continue to have yourself a merry little Christmas – every day – regardless of religion or circumstance. That you feel lightness and comfort know that what separates you from your troubles are the loving people you surround yourself with each day.
Wishing you and yours a happy and merry New Year.
Recommendation of the Week: Watch the incomparable Judy Garland sing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” from the movie Meet Me in St. Louis. If you’re looking for some other life affirming films to watch with the family, I recommend Jay Kelly, Train Dreams and the aforementioned, The Holiday.
Share this with someone who could use a little more merriness today.