Christmas comes charging down the tracks like a festive freight train in the month of December. There is so much to do: Gifts to buy, treats to make, programs to attend, trees to be trimmed. Poisoned chocolate-eating dogs to be saved. It can seem a bit overwhelming, or even burdensome.
What adds to that burden for me, is that December is a necessarily very busy month for me at work. I go into the office earlier, stay later, and spend some Saturdays there. Add to that an unfriendly virus or two, and you have the makings of a mind-numbing and exhausting run up to Christmas.
That is why, occasionally, a little bit of Scrooge-like behavior manages to flicker in my demeanor and conversation.
Most of the shopping burden has fallen to my EC. I step in and help make treats, sett up the tree, hang the lights, etc. I never miss a school music performance that my kids are in. Unfortunately, too much of it occurs from the sense of obligation. It is more of a “Git ‘er done” mentality, rather than a joyous preparation to celebrate Christ’s birth. That is a weakness I wrestle with – I can’t do too much about the busy-ness of the season, but my attitude can, and should be, adjusted.
That said, I do love Christmas. Very much. I love the sounds, the smells, the tastes, and the spiritual feasts, as well as the literal feasts that we enjoy when the family gets together. I enjoy the sense of tradition that is at work within our family and our culture. It is a wonderful time of the year.
But for me, the joy of Christmas begins on Christmas morning, and lasts until New Year’s Day. That is the time I am most grateful for.
I call it “The Blessed Interruption.”
From Christmas Day until New Year’s Day, I rarely venture into the office. I try not to fret about work. I try to avoid the stores. I don’t watch the news. I try and disassociate from the normal commotion that is my life.
Right now I am sitting here in a comfy chair, listening to my daughter play the piano as I type this. I slept in until 10:00.
This is a week that I get to be with my family and take my foot off the gas. We have gone to several movies, we have played board games, we talk, we laugh, we stay in our pajamas for much of the day.
I fall out of my normal routines. I don’t wake up early, I forget to write blog posts. I stay up until 1:30am watching “Here Comes the Boom, “or whatever else is on. We either go out to a movie, or watch one at home every day.
We also venture out occasionally to go to lunch or dinner, to buy giant beverages. We have a dozen concurrent games of Scramble With Friends going on.
It is an interruption from our normal chaos. I love it. It is good for my soul.
This interruption ends at a very significant time: The beginning of a New Year. This brief respite gives me time to think about the year to come – what I would like to do, what I would like to change, what I want to avoid. It is a time of calm reflection, undergirded by a shift in my priorities that is more family-focused.
Soon enough, I will be back and work, FOML1 will be headed to the airport, and the other kids will be back in school. I have always found the lyric “And Mom & Dad can hardly wait for school to start again” to be sad and tragic.
Another year has come and gone, but I get to spend its last week with those I love most, giving them my time and attention. Normal life can resume next week, but for now, this truly is a blessed interruption.
Happy New Year!
For some interesting reading about New Year’s Resolutions, check out this link on Bonafide. Click Here.
You have described the past 34 years of my life! I, too, have an extra busy work schedule this time of year, being in retail. And being the mom I also do most of the shopping, wrapping, cooking, etc. So when we close the doors on the store on Christmas Eve, I go relax with my family. This year we were able to spend it with all the kids, spouses, grandkids, dogs and granddogs, parents and their dogs…. you get the idea! I put aside my need to take care of everybody and to clean up after them. Everyone pitched in and did a little and the whole week was such a wonderful time. Wish I had a little more vacation time!
I enjoyed this post and I, too, love Christmas. But one question- is that Frankenstein in the picture with this post??
It is Frankenstein – it is a screencap from the movie “A Christmas Story” because Randy looks like I feel.
I so agree!! I’m loving this beautiful pause.
Oh, I’ve always hated that line in that song too. Mom and Dad are jerks, it seems to me? Or they don’t get it. And I have 5 kids-oldest 12-so if anybody was waiting for school to start again you’d think it would be me. Nope. I love how for a few days we just slack off, and then, slowly, the thoughts about the new year start to creep in. You could have written this post from our experience this week and last. Another game of Settlers, anyone?
…oh buying large beverages sounds fun! We take our interruption seriously around here too!
I have never looked at this time in that way -but its true. We have been just taking it easy, and its been wonderful! Thank you for pricking my heart and prompting me to be extra grateful this week.
Thanks for your insight. I totally agree and am also loving this week of slowing down and enjoying what matters most!
Thanks for posting this. I too love the time between Christmas and New Years for the same reason. Oh – and I too had to save a chocolate eating dog this year. My 12 lb dachshund ate an 8 oz helping of chocolate Craftsman tools that belonged to my husband. She is now fine but it has been a crazy few days. Happy New Year to you and yours!
I have lived exactly this all of my married life. I love that magical week – it is mine, all mine and it used to be mine with my children when they were all home. We played games and did only fun things all week long – and yes, I was ready to get the year started when January 1st came lolling around. Nice to have a like-minded friend.