I love holiday movies, as schmaltzy as they are. They are pure escapism and I sink into them with tissues at the ready. I cry so easily. To my surprise sometimes Hub even quits his infernal channel surfing to watch one for more than 10 seconds at a time. I don't know if he was really interested or he was burned out on all the Christmas Carol wannabes last night. Back to back we had Susan Lucci in in Ebbe and Vanessa Williams in A Diva's Christmas , both following the original, which is worth watching! We were tiring of the theme.
Then came one of my annual favorites, The Polar Express, asking the age old question, "Do you believe?" I got to thinking about that when the ghost asked the question. Even more so at the end when the boy and his sister could hear the sleigh bell yet their parent's couldn't. You know what? I can. I refuse to let it go.
It's about all there is left. There is so much I do not believe in, I find a degree of comfort in being able to believe in the magic of Christmas. Even with all the commercialization and the minimizing of the religious aspects of the season, it remains the most happy time of the year. There is a nip in the air, people tend to be more cheery. The sights and smells of the season are warm and inviting from roaring fireplaces to the twinkling lights that adorn just about everything.
Have you ever gone into a Christmas shop in the middle of summer? Doesn't it take you right back to the season? No wonder the 4th of July has barely passed when we start to see the beginnings. It's far too soon, there are other holidays to enjoy, but I understand it. Nothing else is as festive for adults and children alike.
For this one Friday I'll set aside all that I don't believe in any more. Beliefs that have been tarnished by age and experience. Today I'll get ready for the December Art Walk where people will be meeting and greeting and carolers will be singing. Wine will be sipped and surely in these temperatures our noses will be nipped.
Too soon this holiday season will be tucked away for another year. The year itself will be summed up for New Years. Highlights and lowlights. List upon list naming those who have left us. When you come right down to it, I don't find New Year's all that festive any more. Maybe that's why we no longer stay up until midnight to welcome it.
But that bell. I hear it. I need to hear it.
3 comments:
Well said and very thought provoking.
whether you meant to or not, this is a sweet tribute to Christmas! I love it. You have such a way with words.
Blessings and I do hope your Christmas is a great one.
This Christmas eve we will be in D.C. for the second time in five years and have reservations to attend the evening service in the National Cathedral. This is a memorable experience; if you ever get the chance, attend (you do need reservations). Then it is on to Naples Florida for the months of Jan. and Feb. We have had enough Wisconsin winters to last a lifetime. These are the kind of things I can believe in.
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