It happens earlier every year: Christmas. Before Halloween decorations come down from
the retail shops, there were signs of Christmas decorations beginning to come
out from their hiding places. I cringed.
It’s against my religion. I need a slower pace.
I’m a Lutheran. We
celebrate the season of Advent: a quiet
time of waiting and reflection of simple gifts.
You won’t hear Christmas music sung in my church until Christmas Eve. It’s been said that we certainly know how to
take the fun out of a holiday. Guilty as
charged.
I guiltily admit I use my religion as an excuse to hold off
on decorating. When friends ask me what
I have done, I reply “Nothing”. This is
not to say that I don’t slowly began to decorate after the start of Advent (December
2nd) and I do began to slowly
shop for my family.
I try to take in the slowness of the season and enjoy the subtle
joys that it has to offer. My little
town has a few offerings. There is a
giant tree on Main Street and the
entrance to campus. Saved from being cut down years ago, it is now the Official
Christmas Tree which causes me to drive slower just to take in the sight of the
towering lights. There is a parade as only a small town would offer; you know
the type, the kids in pajamas, the high school band and the fire truck at the
end with Santa yelling Merry Christmas.
I tend to take “short cuts” through neighborhoods where
someone else has gone overboard to decorate their home with lights. Driving
slowly, I take it all in until a car behind me gets angry and sounds their
horn, prompting me to drive on.
Obviously someone needs to get on
with their Holiday spirit!
As for Art and Music, the possibilities are endless. It’s a University town; talent knows no
bounds. I go to a few, again in that
slow pace; always. I’m still waiting for
a live theater production of Dickens: A Christmas Carol; Anyone? Anyone?
The season shouldn’t be about hustle and bustle of the crowd,
like the lyrics of the popular song. It should be about listening for the
sounds of the bells ushering in the Joy.
I hope you are able to slow your pace, drown out the noise,
enjoy the lights and bask quietly in the Joy of the
season.
Peace!
NEPB
