The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

As I mentioned before in my article, Christmas Pasts, I can’t return to Canada right now due to the virus. My tree and decorations, including my children’s homemade items, are stored in Canada. I remember the elves all my children had to put on the tree. My mother’s ornaments from the ‘40s and earlier and the paper candy cane I laboriously made when I was four usually go on our tree every year. My firstborn has a tattered old felt hobby horse that we always put around the top of the tree. I have none of that this Christmas. Well, that’s just the way it is, and I think many feel the same way. We will make the best with what we have.

I have some wonderful decorations that Ken’s mother left him. I have decorations the two of us have picked out over the last ten years. We have our traditions and our tree now. It’s great when I can have both trees up, but one mustn’t dwell on the “ what if’s.” Enjoy the “ what is” Enjoy Christmas Present.

To hear the news, one might expect Christmas 2021 is ruined. I know there is a supply chain disruption. Hopefully, parents are as versatile as they have been in the past. If one toy isn’t available, find another. The extreme weather and concern over climate change are bleating from our radios. All most people care about at Christmas is that loved ones are safe to travel, animals can be fed, and some of us even hope for a white Christmas! Other concerns can be shelved for now! It’s Christmas!

Then there’s the question of vaccine mandates. Christmas music is overshadowed with both sides of the vaccine mandates bellowing their beliefs. Can we take a break for Christmas? Can we be considerate of one another and be as safe as possible so everyone can enjoy next year’s Christmas also?

Play your Christmas music loudly. Attend your church and prepare for the birth of Jesus; after all, this really is the meaning of Christmas. Without the birth of Jesus, the would be no Christmas. Sing carols in your kitchen, your barn, or your school. Be a part of Christmas Present. Bake those cookies and cakes. Pull out Grandmas’ recipe for gingerbread or pudding. They will live on in your delectable products, which all the family will enjoy. Do be sure and mention who gave you the recipe. The youngest needs to know about the oldest in the family. If you love Hallmark Christmas movies, then, by all means, grab a bowl of popcorn and settle in for another festive but predictable story.

Has anyone else felt a little envious seeing the movie’s piles of tasteful decorations and awesome gingerbread houses? Just know someone took weeks to get that set looking the way it is! Be assured your moose at the fireplace, and your wreath on the door made by Aunt Mabel is wonderful too! And what’s really important is, it’s your Christmas Present, no one else’s! You have the right to make your Christmas what you want it to be. Don’t want turkey? Have chicken or steaks. What Christmas becomes in your household is up to you and yours. You can incorporate as much or as little of the past as you like. The important thing is to BE the Christmas spirit. Enjoy yourself but try to think of others that are having a hard time making their Christmas Present a good one. They might be a neighbor or someone on the other side of the state. Even a small gesture can mean a lot. Don’t just think about it; plan for it and then do it.

Christmas can be one of the most challenging times of the year for people who have lost someone. The loss may be through death or divorce. I know of one friend who has lost her daughter, and memories of her are always with her, Christmas included. So now., she enjoys her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who, without her daughter, would not be here. Talk about a living memory. They are doing their best with what they have. They are making Christmas Present warm and as happy as possible for them all. That’s the way it should be.

A friend in Canada has a daughter who has returned home after a divorce. This Christmas will be difficult at times, but they have a granddaughter who is now staying with them, and that is a gift beyond wonderful. She is so excited that granddad will soon make her an ice rink in the backyard. My friend can shop and bake with her daughter more than if she were still married. I am not saying it’s a better thing; she is now single. I’m saying we must grasp what we can of happiness. Christmas is no different. This is Christmas Present, and we should enjoy it as it is.

Make a list of things you want to do for Christmas. We make lists of what we want to get. Be sure to make lists of what you want to do, either by yourself or with family. Maybe you have your eye on a Christmas book you’d like to read. Put it on your list. Perhaps you want to go somewhere to sing carols. Ask around and check the paper. See you, get your caroling done. Maybe you think a Christmas movie marathon would be fun. Turn off your cells. Get your jammies on and your snacks ready. Have your Christmas marathon. Want to cross country ski like you used to? Do it. Make your Christmas Present plumb full of everything that will make your Christmas meaningful to you and your family. You are making memories to last into future Christmases.! Want to be closer to the real meaning of Christmas? This is your time to do so. Talk with a pastor, read an article, read your bible and meditate on what you have learned. Your relationship with Christ is just like your Christmas Present. It’s up to you how wonderful it is. There are few things as potent as sitting alone in a church decorated for Christmas. The air crackles with Christmas. Try it.

Now, as Clemont Moore said in his famous poem,” To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall, now dash away, dash away, dash away all”-----to your own Christmas Present. Merry Christmas to all!!!--And to all a good night!