Dear December,
You’re here!? You slipped in the back door while I was struggling to wrap my brain around the way autumn suddenly became buried in wet and cold. Did we skip September? Does anyone remember anything about October other than the massive amounts of Halloween candy we accidentally ate?
Summer is a complete blur.
But now you’re here, December, and you bring all the emotions. All the memories.
I binge watch old black-and-white holiday movies and re-read Little Women, one of my favorite Christmas stories. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Santa Claus is Coming to Town are old friends to me. And I still feel sad when Frosty melts away.
Soon I’ll do a little decorating around the house, display my collection of vintage ornaments and bottle brush trees, maybe string twinkle lights on my Little Free Library. And I’ll take in the hustle and bustle of the city sidewalks, busy sidewalks, because I enjoy it all. It feels new and renewing to me each year.
Dear December, you sometimes stir melancholy feelings, too, thoughts of those no longer here, those behind our special family traditions. I remind myself that even though they are gone, they aren’t far away. Then I play Christmas music.
Yes, I’m that person. The person who loves Christmas music.
I think about the Christmas story found in Luke 2:10, a visual masterpiece painted in five sentences. Lyrical, magical words that transport and transform those who believe. A passage I’ve known my whole life.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Good tidings of great joy. That’s my favorite way to think of you, December.
So yes, December, although I’m not completely prepared, I’m delighted to see you again.
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
Tweet ThisMusical Pairing:
Christmas Time is Here, Vince Guaraldi
This one brought tears to my eyes. Lovely memories of Christmas passed. I love Christmas!
“For unto you this day is born in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
Thank you. Turn on some Christmas music:)
Oh yes, you must put lights on the little free library and then post a picture. Happy December to you.
I confess, I like Christmas music as well. Well, MOST of it. There are a couple of songs I’d very much like to erase from existence entirely, so that no one would ever remember them existing. But other than THOSE…. 🙂
There’s one song in particular that wears me out. I won’t mention it by name or it will get stuck in my head.
I like your letter to December. It does bring back old sweet memories. I love the Christmas music and I think I am addicted to the Hallmark Christmas movies that have been on most of November. Have a great December!
Thanks, Joy. I almost included one of the Brinkley “choir” pictures but I figure I’ve worn people out with it:)
Your post is absolutely beautiful–such a lovely way to start my day. Thank, friend, for your good tidings of great joy.
Thank you, Dorothy. I’m glad you enjoyed it!