Once upon a time …

Though it’s not really that long ago, it’s amazing how much the things & the work surrounding the Christmas festivities have changed.

Can you add to this list?

1. Where did we find the time to write 50, 60, maybe even closer to 100 Christmas cards? By hand even? And we had to lick the stamps! Yuck!
2. There was a time when the Amazon was only a river & a rainforest. Now we don’t even have to leave home to shop.
3. Expecting a CD or vinyl under the tree? Now we get an email with a gift subscription link to a streaming music service.
4. We had no other choice but to watch Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on Christmas Day.
5. Remember how long it took to find that one dead bulb that kept the tree lights dark?
6. On Christmas morning, we had to light the fire with paper, kindling & matches. That sounds so Dickensian! LOL
7. We got up at 5am to start preparing the Christmas dinner. Now we slap the pre-cooked turkey & ham into the oven 45 minutes before eating.
8. Our local church streams its services. Is that okay, do you think!?! Unless the kids are young, of course, then there’s no choice but to go to the crowded children’s mass. And yeah, that takes about two hours!
9. Hey priest & choir master … we used to know the words to those old “greatest hits” Christmas hymns!
10. Used to be that I’d go through the entire festive season without even thinking about the bathroom scale!
11. Can’t believe there was a time I was disgusted by the thought of having Christmas dinner on the beach!
12. Imagine there was a time when Christmas was all about God ‘n’ love for each other ‘n’ mushy stuff like that?

Fortunately, it still is. I still see it everywhere, when I take the time to look. In the faces of family & friends when we shake hands & hug, exchanging the spirit of the season. In the local supermarket, when people drop a bag of groceries into the donation bin for those in greater need. In the Salvation Army baubles, bulging with cash donations at this time of year. In a million little ways, so many, regardless of religious beliefs, do a little more. We seems to find a little more of our humanity around this time of year.

There ought to be an app for that!

I may occasionally look back, with nostalgia, on the good old days but, to be honest, I like all the new stuff. And the new ways. I’m just grateful that we seem to have managed to preserve the spirit of, & that’s the best of, the old ways too.

I would like to wish you, & all those you hold dear, a very Merry Christmas. May whatever light that’s lights your way, shine brighter throughout this holiday.

Thank you for reading my stuff throughout 2019. I promise I’ll diet better in 2020. But forgive me if I overindulge during the holidays!

Merry Christmas to all! 🙏🎄🎅🎁