It's here! It's started; this is officially my favorite time of the year. I say often that from the day after Thanksgiving to the first Monday after January 1st should be declared a national holiday. It is a time when we all recognize that kindness is a virtue; that doing good deeds for each other is a way of life; and that secret Santa's are the only way to exchange gifts.
There is a corollary to that process however. The days after Thanksgiving bring around December 1st at which point every human being believes there is not enough time to get all the presents needed to make this a perfect holiday season. Suddenly the streets are filled with people who were home and are now out and about getting things done for the season.
Many people suddenly have a social calendar that is filled to the brim with holiday parties and potlucks and everyone is getting together. Suddenly we have a schedule filled with deadlines for getting to the right party, bringing the potluck dish, being a secret Santa, and we are reminded moment-by-moment that there are only so many days before it is all over.
One year in my 30's I decided to send out all my Christmas cards in April and rather than send out great quantities I worked on quality so all my cards were handmade. The response was from the profound to 'that's interesting' to 'what in the hell are you doing?'
There was a period of time when I was a very active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I was very involved in the leadership of the youth groups. I don't think there is another faith tradition that does more for its youth.
President Joseph F. Smith said, "Every son and every daughter of God has received some talent and each will be held to strict account for the use or misuse to which it is put." Thus from an early age, one is expected to explore and expand their talents.
There was a program of stage plays put on by the youth ranging from: screenplays to set building to composing the music, to choreographing dances and then to putting on the show.
So I got a little off track but the other side of this is the holiday season when the family plays a big part in so many faith traditions. People make cookies and drop them off on doorsteps. People have home gatherings. This is a prime season of memories and experiences. This is I believe a wonderful time to reconnect with friends. This is a time to remember this whole process is not done alone.
Reach out with a phone call, an email, a zoom meeting. Send a present that no one knows is coming. It is such a great ripple in the pond that impacts everyone.
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