Christmas Cheer

I’ve got a confession:

I get the Christmas holiday bug the minute a slight chill presents itself in August. When others are confused why Walmart and Costco have already got their Christmas décor out, I’m stocking up. And the minute Halloween is over, Christmas music is in the que. I just love this time of year. 

Growing up, my mom covered our house with beautiful Christmas decorations. The air always smelled of something delicious and there were tons of red, green, and gold candy at every table. To this day, I still don’t think I’ve ever seen another house as beautiful during Christmas as my parent’s. It really was the best possible house to celebrate the holidays.

The tradition of decorating the tree, making yummy treats, watching Christmas films, and looking at Christmas lights around town are just a handful of my most cherished memories growing up. If you want to find me in a good mood, just look for me during the holidays. It’s like every memory from Christmas’s past come alive in me and nothing can ruin my mood. 

I recognize that my experience is probably different than many and some don’t prefer this time of year. Holidays are sometimes a reminder of who isn’t here anymore or what you can’t afford. While these things can weigh the holiday down, I pray that there are enough sweet traditions to cling to when it seems hard. 

“Nothing ever seems too bad, too hard, or too sad when you’ve got a Christmas tree in the living room.” -Nora Roberts

Perhaps Christmas cheer reveals itself in the Salvation Army bell ringers who appear outside the store in December. Or the eggnog that’s in never-ending supply. Maybe it’s the elf-on-a-shelf you put around the house so the kids will behave for Santa. Or what if it’s simply enjoying a meal with the family on Christmas Eve as Home Alone plays in the background? There are so many little things that can make the holidays sweet. 

This year’s Christmas looks quite different for me. Instead of spending it with my family, I’ll be with my fiancé, Cameron, at a wedding with most people I don’t know. This really isn’t my ideal and I’m a bit intimidated by the thought. And the closer I get to marriage, the more I realize that many of my most beloved traditions will likely change… a lot. I’m not sure if I’m prepared for that, but I can say that because I know Christmas cheer can show up just about anywhere, I’m excited to start creating what that looks like for Cameron and me in the future. 

Times change, the unexpected happens, holidays fly by, but Christmas cheer really can live on so long as we continue to live and act in love to one another no matter the circumstances. I pray you find something to cling to this year that brings up those warm, fuzzy feelings and that lead you to love others to life as we enter 2022. 

Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and a happy new year from UnbridledACTS to you.