Sure, I cribbed the title of this post from A Christmas Carol, and sure, in the scene Scrooge was talking specifically about wealth, but it’s still a valid question to ponder on this Christmas Eve. More to the point, what is it that makes Christmas seem like Christmas?
I’ve been thinking about this quite a bit over the past few 
weeks. As we’ve crept ever closer to Christmas day, I keep waiting for that familiar feeling, the one that I’ve gotten every year for as long as I can remember. It’s the feeling of warmth, safety, anticipation and excitement all bundled up into one, but this year it has yet to arrive.
weeks. As we’ve crept ever closer to Christmas day, I keep waiting for that familiar feeling, the one that I’ve gotten every year for as long as I can remember. It’s the feeling of warmth, safety, anticipation and excitement all bundled up into one, but this year it has yet to arrive.
The weather’s certainly not been helping. It’s been unseasonably warm in my home town, with a lack of substantial snow. I think that’s probably part of it, since the last time I was lacking the spirit was when I was working in Austin. Upon returning to the cold north, however, I was soon feeling much more like Christmas, but I don’t think that’s the whole story. You don’t need snow to be in the Christmas spirit. In fact, you don’t even need to be happy.
I’ve long felt that Christmas, though a predominantly happy time, is also always touched with a little sadness. Think about the best Christmas movies and TV specials. Charlie Brown, Rudolph, It’s A Wonderful Life, though they all end happily, they all focus on incredibly sad characters. Think of the most popular Christmas carols. The vast majority of them are written in minor keys, automatically lending them a sad or melancholy feel. No, I think some sadness is inherent in the season, and it needn’t be something to run from.
I’ve long felt that Christmas, though a predominantly happy time, is also always touched with a little sadness. Think about the best Christmas movies and TV specials. Charlie Brown, Rudolph, It’s A Wonderful Life, though they all end happily, they all focus on incredibly sad characters. Think of the most popular Christmas carols. The vast majority of them are written in minor keys, automatically lending them a sad or melancholy feel. No, I think some sadness is inherent in the season, and it needn’t be something to run from.
So why haven’t I been swept up in Christmas feelings? I’ve done all the decorating, wrapped the presents, listened to the music. What’s missing? The answer can be found by going back and examining that Austin Christmas. The snow wasn’t the only thing that was missing. I was there by myself. All my family and friends were still back home. Forgive me as I get as saccharine as the worst of those Christmas specials, but that’s really what the holiday is all about. It’s the warmth and safety of spending time with those close to you, the anticipation and excitement of those 
times. Without the people, Christmas is just a day like any other. This year I just haven’t done a good job of spending time with people. Some of it was unavoidable; people move away or travel, which understandably means you can’t spend that time together. A lot of it, though, was just me not making enough of an effort. Work, taking care of the new puppy, sleep, they all get in the way, and they all make convenient excuses. In the end, though they are all too often an afterthought, it’s the people and relationships that count. They are what makes Christmas feel like Christmas.
times. Without the people, Christmas is just a day like any other. This year I just haven’t done a good job of spending time with people. Some of it was unavoidable; people move away or travel, which understandably means you can’t spend that time together. A lot of it, though, was just me not making enough of an effort. Work, taking care of the new puppy, sleep, they all get in the way, and they all make convenient excuses. In the end, though they are all too often an afterthought, it’s the people and relationships that count. They are what makes Christmas feel like Christmas.
As I’ve written this post, we’ve moved from Christmas Eve to Christmas Day. I hope you have someone close to you who you can spend the day with, and I hope you take advantage of that opportunity; I know I intend to.
Merry Christmas!
Sleep well,
DTE
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