Oh, Christmas!

In my mind, I am thinking how can Christmas be just THREE days away? My heart starts beating faster just thinking about it. The sounds, smells, businesses buzzing, and humans scurrying around everywhere! It can drive a person mad. Let’s talk about the slowness of the postal service and all of the UPS and FedEx trucks zipping through our neighborhoods and city streets. BEEP, BEEP, BEEP! People who have to work until Christmas to ensure bills are paid and the children get gifts being the champions of small and large cities economic growth. Silly, huh? Let me talk about teachers getting a two week break. Fair? The grocery store shelves are bare. The retail stores sparse from those piranha early shoppers ruining it for us Christmas Eve shoppers. What gives? The restaurant waiting lines will put the sour right in your puss. The drive -thrus are like a pit stop at the Daytona 500. Back row students, are you ready to cancel Christmas? What about all the extra feast days and holy days of Christmas. Isn’t one church day enough? I heard a whisper coming from the front row. No? I can’t believe what I am hearing but students you are absolutely CORRECT!

My son asked me earlier why I love Christmas so much. So this is my best explanation. Take notes.

The heart palpitations start Thanksgiving and get worse the closer we get to Christmas. All of the busyness of us humans means that our hearts are waking up to the peace and good will that is planted in each of our souls. I say HURRAY to slow mail. It is an indication that kind words and thoughts are being shared. Packages sent with love for those far and near. I treasure each card and feel so loved. My cards will be late this year, usually are. The message of love is just as strong. Patience people. I say Thanks be to God for those who work in retail, restaurants, and service industries. Think of our local economies without these people. Teaching is one if not the biggest way that children from some of life’s toughest situations are found and given the miracles of Christmas love and it doesn’t only happen at Christmas. Most teachers I know help to support these families year round. I know that in my little corner teachers and schools make life merrier and brighter. Teachers are the conduit to connect nonprofits, businesses, and corporate resources as well as using their own money. Teachers enjoy this season and I will pray for some January and February snow days!

What about all of the extra church time? Now we get to the BEST part of all. The REAL REASON for the SEASON! Just imagine the world without the miraculous birth of God incarnate. It makes me shudder. There is no other religion that can meld people of all races and ethnicities and creeds. The historical evidence is there. There is no other major world religion prophet that was prophesied. I believe not in Santa but Jesus of Nazareth born in a manger. Back row, I heard a gasp.

Have you ever been to a Midnight Mass. Put it on your to do list. Be prepared to take a trip through time from the beginning of earth to the birth of the Savior. Chant and sing psalms centuries old. Experience the sacredness of singing the Holy, Holy, Holy with the angels and saints as Jesus comes to the altar with us. Emmanuel. Relive the Lord’s Supper. Then what? Celebrate, be grateful and know Christ is with you. Let the good will towards man rule your heart in 2024.

Sarah Anderson Alley

Sal the Christmas loving Gal

To Do List:

While scurrying around town, Say Merry Christmas to people you pass.

Pass a buck to people down on their luck. Read the little match girl and grab tissues.

Be patient with the rude people and offer them your place in line.

Randomly pay for someone’s grocery tab or toy purchase.

Give acts of service not gifts.

Give homemade food and candy.

Send notes or cards even if they are late.

Clean out coat closet and put in the blessings box at St. Mary’s. Put a daily devotion book with a kind prayer and a few dollars or change in a pocket.

Volunteer! Go to any church and l’m sure that they need you. For example, Holy Angels will need help decorating the Parish hall Friday and Saturday.

Go to church! I think as a family we missed one Christmas. Alley Ritual If the kids wanted to open gifts before church, they had to get in plenty of time before church. We usually opened them after church. Catholic Christmas services are always Christmas Day. I will hopefully be there Saturday, Sunday, and Monday!