Christmas Joy

Time is the most undefinable yet paradoxical of things; the past is gone, the future is not come, and the present becomes the past even while we attempt to define it, and, like the flash of lightning, at once exists and expires.  

Charles Caleb Colton

It's hard to believe that Christmas will soon be here.  It comes and goes so quickly now.  I remember from waiting for Christmas as a child. Time passes much more slowly for a child and a couple of weeks seems like forever! It seemed that Christmas would never here.  Now, each year seems to pass more quickly than the year before.  One Christmas seems to meld into the next, and birthdays? Forget about birthdays.  I don't even look forward to them anymore because they pass by so quickly, there is really no time to enjoy them anymore. 

Yes, time does pass quickly, but my memories do not.  I can still close my eyes and picture myself at six years old peeking through a crack in my door on Christmas Eve to catch a quick glimpse of Santa.  And, lo and behold, there he was...red suit and all. Amazing how strong a child's imagination is, for when I opened the door, it was my mom and dad I saw standing in front of the tree...and they let it be known that they were not too happy with me, but they needn't have worried. A child's imagination is powerful so I still believed, and it wouldn't be until a few years down the road that Santa would be retired for good....but the magic still remains.

I am an elder now, a Crone, and my children are grown, but I still try to enjoy that Christmas  magic every year. Oh, the joys of Christmas--the twinkling lights, the smell of pine, Nativity scenes, mulled cider, garlands, Christmas songs, Gingerbread houses, the cold, crisp air of winter.  And, of course, there is my yearly tradition of staying glued to the 'Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas'. I watch those movies over and over again.  Just the other day they aired "The Night They Saved Christmas".  I remember watching that with my boys when they were just little ones.  The show first aired in 1984, and I have watched it every year since.  That's a lot of years.

Another favorite is "A Christmas Story". Usually watch that one about three times on Christmas day and at some point during the following week we have meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and red cabbage.  It always looks so good that I cannot resist. Then there is the yearly tradition of "It's a Wonderful Life".  Other favorites include "The Polar Express", "How the Grinch Stole Christmas", and "Deck the Halls" with Danny DiVito.  Too funny. I get such a kick out of it when hubby comes out and says, "Didn't you just watch that the other day"? And each year comes the reading of "The Night Before Christmas."

One thing I really do miss is those wonderful old time Christmas specials television used to air years ago. I remember grandma and I used to sit and watch Lawrence Welk. Shows like "The Bob Hope All Star Christmas Special", "John Denver's Rocky Mountain Christmas", "Perry Como's Christmas shows",   "Johnny Cash Christmas Special", etc.  Remember them? 

Yes, it is true, time may pass quickly, but memories last forever.

They know that it's a special time of year It's time to rejoice in the beauty around us The time for giving and sharing Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.  

Norman Vincent Peale