The Magic Time
Many people complain about Christmas and the accompanying stress and expense. The other day, as I was checking out a few last minute gifts at a locals department store, the cashier said “Thank God Christmas is just once a year – it would be even better if it was every OTHER year.”
I disagree.
Once a year is perfect.
The time of year is perfect.
And to all those who are stressed and over-spent by Christmas and Christmas-shopping: don’t blame Christmas. You can only blame yourself for these things.
I thank my parents for making the magic of Christmas absolutely indelible for me. This Christmas, my Granddaughter is living with me, and she is three years old, so our Christmas will be especially magical this year since Santa will once again be coming to decorate our tree on Christmas eve and make a dent in our cookie inventory. You see, he’s far too busy to make extended stops like that when it’s all adults. But when there are children – well then that’s a different story all together.
One of the things I cherish the most about my childhood Christmas are the memories of visits to Wanamaker’s to visit Santa and the subsequent trip to Lit Brothers to tour the very-Dickensian Enchanted Christmas Village. and the Wanamaker’s toy department — which was a Christmas paradise, with its tables of clanking, whirring wind-up toys, the enormous O-Gauge train display, or – best of all – the monorail ride that flew you around the perimeter of the toy department as you waved to your parents who had to walk the route down below. I’m reminded of the Wanamaker’s toy department every time I watch the movie The Santa Claus, when they first show Santa’s workshop at the North Pole.
But the things that really embodies Christmas for me came from a novena prayer that my Mother taught me when I was young. The first part was:
Hail and blessed be the hour and the moment
in which the Son of God was born
of the most pure virgin, Mary
at midnight
in Bethlehem
in the piercing cold …
The image and the feeling conjured by that prayer ARE Christmas for me.
So to anyone is over-stressed and under-funded: I urge you to stop doing those things that, for you, detract from this magical holiday. I wish you peace and happiness and abundant blessings through the holiday, and into and throughout the New Year.
Merry Christmas!
