“The way my family anticipates Christmas feels different from the way we look forward to almost anything else. For other things, we’re excited about learning, seeing, or exploring something new. But Christmas is different. We look forward to it all year. We count down the days, just to experience it nearly exactly as we always have.” Joanna Gaines, Magnolia Journal, Issue 9~
Every year, the stores seem to decorate earlier. Santa arrives earlier. Online shopping decreased the hustle and bustle–at least in public. The early decorating seems to be a quest to set the mood–to draw buyers into stores.
Last year, the stores in my locale weren’t crowded. I shopped in the traditional way–but without the crowds.
It was great. But I wonder if online shoppers felt like they were missing something–if something about their Christmas experience seemed incomplete.
Last week–one week before Thanksgiving–we received 10.6 inches of snow.
Thursday and Friday were snow days–closed schools with some businesses following suit. People stayed home and stayed inside except to clear their sidewalks and driveways. Those who had to went to work on Friday. But anyone who could did not venture far.
Saturday was different. On Saturday, the snow had done its magic and there I was digging out Christmas music and lighting a
Then I went shopping (after extinguishing the candle) to discover the crowds had returned. Lines weren’t too bad. But traffic was
The snow (and perhaps some early retail discounts) called us back to a time when shopping was an adventure requiring movement, planning, navigation, and socialization.
The forecaster I married assures me the snow will be gone before Thursday and may not return for Christmas.
No matter. The weather has evoked memories of white days and glowing trees in years past. We are drawn to the season of peace–a respite from the world of bitter politics and bad news.
We anticipate, count the days, and wait. We work, buying, wrapping, cleaning, decorating, cooking, and baking to relive and recreate a day to carry with us through the year.
Our lives are threads tying generations together. Holidays are exclamations.
Proclaim God’s goodness. Happy Thanksgiving.