Christmas Reflections

Sometimes it happens for no good reason. As holiday festivities swing into gear, I find myself more melancholy than merry. Feeling lonely, even when I’m not alone. Going through the motions, in hopes that a spark of cheer will find good kindling and warm my mood.

Several of my friends and neighbors have had a Bad Year this year. Death, illness, divorce, scandal, misfortune, financial woes, pessimism about our country and its leaders – it’s completely reasonable for these people to scale back on the merriment while hoping that the New Year will bring a fresh page that will fill with a happier chapter in life.

I’ve got no reason – I’ve had a really Good Year, full of love, health, nature, music and laughter. New friendships made, and old friendships resumed. My business has done well. I would feel blessed to have another year just like this one (except perhaps without a root canal). Perhaps I’m expecting too much – why should I expect Christmastime to be a step up from a life already filled with celebration and wonder?

This season, I will carry on with the activities that make up my holiday traditions. Perhaps a spark of cheer will warm my mood. But I also will seek a better understanding of – and quiet appreciation for – the birth of a Savior.

Merry Christmas

I’m sharing a link to a beautiful video of the King’s College Choir, Cambridge, singing for Christmas Eve services in 1992. It’s quite a long video – I hope you can find time to enjoy it. https://youtu.be/hNg6Nv1Ey8Y