“Tis the Season”
“Tis the season to be jolly – Fa la la la la, la la la la”
Have you ever found yourself in the midst of the holiday season thinking you’ll scream if you hear one more canned carol, one more insincere “Happy Holidays”? Of course you have, we all have. Tis the season as much for frustration as for frivolity.
Tis the season – the season of standing in long lines only to be told that what you were waiting for is now sold out.
- Tis the season – the season of whining from little kids (and sometimes even big kids!), overstimulated by holiday commercials for items you can’t afford and that the kids won’t want 2 days after Christmas.
- Tis the season – when a family member or co-worker calls you up and tells you they know you won’t mind making – for tomorrow! – a double batch of the holiday goodie that this year you had vowed not to make at all.
- Tis the season – when even though you and your partner and family had all promised NOT to make a fuss with extravagant gifts, you find out that somebody is going all out.
Yes, this month is the season for all of the above and worse, circumstance and situations that make us crazy, drive us nuts, prompt us to want to scream, “I’m canceling Christmas this year!” It doesn’t have to be that way – or, at least, that doesn’t have to define all of this hectic holiday month. It’s true, it’s the holidays, and the stores will insist on piping in endless loops of carols, and things will still go wrong, and people close to you will do their best to get on your last nerve. But – you can choose to react differently, to see things or put things into a different perspective.
- Tis the season – for beautiful decorations and lovely lights, Don’t try to kill yourself decorating your house – unless it’s what gives you joy – but do drive or walk around, enjoying what other folks put up.
- Tis the season – for holiday wishes and greetings. Choose to take them all as literal expressions, to view them as the true and real wish of those around you that you have a Happy Holiday, a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, a Happy New Year. Say with great sincerity, “You too!” and mean it.
- Tis the season – for memories. No matter how many bad holidays we’ve had in our lives, each of us has warm and happy memories of the good ones. Treasure those, and talk about them with your loved ones. Share the stories.
- Tis the season – for Christmas trees. Sure, selling Christmas trees is the church’s biggest and most important fundraiser of the year and we all have to pitch in for it to succeed. But don’t forget it’s FUN! It’s fun to help couples and families and individuals find the perfect tree for their homes. It’s fun to hang out with church friends. It’s fun to be part of the army of “Santa’s helpers” during the holiday season.
- Tis the season – for carols sung with those we love, candlelight services in the church, goodies shared, dressing up a little. We’ll have several opportunities for worship that will warm your heart and remind you why there is such a thing as Christmas – come be with your church family and celebrate this time together.
Yes, tis the season. And YOU make it what it will be for you. Choose to make it joyful and lovely and full of love and humor, and then that’s what the season will be for you and yours.
Warm Yule, Blessed Solstice, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Joyful Kwanzaa, and Happy New Year!
Rev. Melanie
