Writing A New Christmas Carol

The Myths of Christmas Past

Before you assume I have been possessed by the spirit of The Grinch, or good ol’ Mr. Scrooge, ask yourself some questions. How often have the holidays lived up to what the movies, magazines, books and commercials promoted? Have you pictured all your loved ones (no one missing), in ugly Christmas sweaters on Christmas day, with the perfect Christmas feast provided with no muss, no fuss, and no lumps the coin the gravy? Were the children are all perfectly behaved? Did the trip to get the picture with Santa go off without a hitch – no tears, no whining,and Santa’s lap stayed dry?

The Truth of Christmases, also Past

It was too warm in the house for sweaters, and we were lucky we could even get the little ones to keep a shirt on! And eat? They couldn’t even down a bite of turkey, having helped themselves to the goodies (snuck while the adults were looking the other way)! And didn’t one fall asleep in their mashed potatoes out of sheer exhaustion?

Don’t get me started on the food fiascoes! Last year, my slow cooker, full of stuffed peppers shut itself off, and become a no cooker. (That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!) By the time this little problem was discovered, my meatballs were overcooked! They more closely resembled India rubber balls, instead of the tasty morsels my taste buds had anticipated.

As for every one being there, it becomes a miracle of Christmas that there are now 36 hours in the day. How else do you visit everyone’s family on the same day? Santa ain’t got nothing on that! And those in those that may be in different provinces, if even the same country? Not gonna happen. And for most of us, we have those who have passed on. For some it may be fresh and raw; for others a dull missing.

The Hope of Christmases Yet to Come

In the adult years, I learned a few things about the Christmas season that I am trying to embrace.

Cherish and celebrate every happy child hood memory you have of Christmas

There may be many memories. There may be few. Take them out, hug them to yourself and maybe even shed a tear. Share them with some one else over a hot cocoa. For a moment, you are four years old again, and you can hear those who are long passed laugh, again!

Take every opportunity to embrace the season

Enjoy the lights, enjoy the smells of Christmas cookies, go to the party (if only to say hello, if your not up to the whole evening), go to the Christmas Eve service and maybe even take in the local school program!

Phone / email / send a card or face time with those you cannot see that day

You never know when it will be the last Christmas that you will be able to wish some one a “Merry Christmas”! When I was a young adult, it felt like my loved ones would be here forever. That was kind of great, as life was an adventure just starting to be lived. Now, as an “old” person I live for those little moments.

Don’t sweat the small stuff

Or even the big stuff. If your family tells you that they don’t care what the dishes looks like and they want use paper plates, then do it. They really don’t care. If they want pizza for Christmas dinner – give them pizza! They meal isn’t the goal! If the meal goes sideways, laugh about it. You will relive it for the next 20 years and laugh about it anyway! A couple of generations have heard the re sharing of when the oven didn’t get turned on so the turkey dinner was three hours late! Laughter and love – these are the goals!

Give your adult children permission to miss Christmas

What?!

As an empty nest-er, I could really feel the quietness during the holidays. Everywhere I look I am told that Christmas is about friends and family and perfect trees and lots of presents and if I am alone you are to be pitied. This is so far off the mark, I can’t even roll my eyes enough, without getting dizzy. Every day, every phone call, every text though out the year should be special. Our kids are going to be in demand from their friends and their significant others, because after all, they are pretty awesome! Give them the space to choose where and when works for them, and give them the gift of peace and relaxation. And offspring, that random text that took you five seconds to send, made some one’s day!

Most importantly…

I think Christmas has been hijacked by the media and stores. To me, it is about a baby, in a manger, born in a little town with a bad reputation. God with us! When was the last time I remembered with reverence why we give gifts? Were they given with love? For that matter, was I able to give the gift of our presence? Was I too tired and stressed to really be in the moment with those I hold dearest? Were we celebrating or fulfilling an obligation? Hmm…

Share Christmas with Me

My favourite version of the Christmas story is the speech Linus gives in A Charlie Brown Christmas. I invite you to watch it too!

Merry Christmas to all of you!

Please, Leave me a comment with one of your favourite Christmas stories or shoot me an email at contact@jodybartel.com. Feel free to share this link! I am still working on connecting directly to email and putting share buttons on the page. We’ll get there!