We all know the true meaning of Christmas.  We know it’s not about the stuff and yet if we did not do the stuff we would be pariahs.  You know it and I know it.  I have simplified this year, but I am still running around like a lunatic, buying gifts, gift bags, gift tags, writing Christmas cards and making lists….lots and lots of lists.

The one thing that seems the easiest to forego in the hectic holiday season is the act of quietly savoring the season.  Oddly, we seem unable to find the time for this essential and sacred act.  I wake up at 5:40 every morning.  My son gets on the bus at 6:30 so my day starts long before the sun.  I am so blessed that my neighbor across the street leaves her Christmas tree lights on overnight.  As I come down my stairs I get to look out into the darkness and the only thing I see is the glorious glow of a single Christmas tree silently and majestically reminding me of what Christmas is all about…every morning.

I am the tacky house with colored lights on my tree.  I started this years ago for my children because, let’s be honest, colored lights are more fun!  They remind me of jewels.  This year I casually mentioned switching to white lights and got a resounding ‘no’ from both of my kids.  The colored lights remain.  The first morning after we put up our tree this year, my daughter came down for school, looked at the tree, and said ‘this tree makes me so happy’.  I melted.  It reminded me of when I was a little girl and would lie under the tree looking up into it with  a feeling of peace and happiness.  Isn’t that what Christmas is all about?  The feeling of joy and peace and presence?

I don’t want to add to your stress.  I don’t want to put anything else on your ‘to do’ list.  All I ask of you before Christmas day arrives is to take 30 minutes to sit in front of your Christmas tree with all lights off except for your tree.  Enjoy a cup of tea, coffee, hot cocoa, wine or whatever.  Put on soft carols if you choose, but just sit there and delight in the beauty and the silence.

The scurrying around can wait.  It will all get done, or it won’t; and in the end does it really matter?  Please don’t miss the magic of the season by misprioritizing, especially this year with the chaos of the world. Savor the glow that reminds us of the hope that Christmas represents.

Wishing you peace, love and hope this holiday season.

Erin