Well, it’s over—the shopping, the wrapping, the decorating, the singing of carols, the baking, the cooking, the driving in traffic to get where you’re going. Okay, I’ll admit it. I love it when it’s here, but I’m happy to put it all back in the box again when the new year arrives.
But, there is one thing about the holidays that I always want to hang on to just a little longer—those warm smiles we wear and the total ease of sincerely wishing complete strangers a “Merry Christmas” and “Happy New Year!”
And, why should we put that one back in the box each year? Why stop smiling and wishing well to those who cross our path in everyday life? Why only one season a year do we feel so willing to step out and reach out and spread good cheer to everyone we meet? Why not all year long?
My New Year’s Resolution?
- hang on to the idea of good cheer at least a little longer
- try to remember to smile and bring the light and good cheer as often as I can in everyday life
- really look the waitress, barista, clerk, hotel maid, security guard, and postman in the eye and make sure they feel seen by me, important to me and appreciated by me, and that they feel my sincere good wishes and cheer
It costs me nothing but presence. It takes no more than a second. And it’s one drop in a bucket of goodness and light that I can spread.
On this Monday, I chose “Day After Christmas” by Matthew West. His lyrics remind us that the light and good cheer we spread at the holidays is are still here, even after we’ve packed up the ornaments. “So take down the stockings and take back the sweater, take down the lights and the star and the tree, but don’t let this world take your joy after Christmas. Take your joy to the world and just sing…”
Happy week after Christmas and merry rest of the year!
Matthew West – Day After Christmas
“Here comes the letdown, Christmas is over
Here comes the meltdown, there goes the cheer
But before we have a breakdown, let us remember
The light of the world is still here
Happy day after Christmas
And merry rest of the year
Even when Christmas is over
The light of the world is still here
The light of the world
Come January I’m ready for summer
The Super Bowl’s over and I’ll settle for spring
Sometimes we all need a change in the weather
But it won’t change the reason we sing
Happy day after Christmas
And merry rest of the year
Even when Christmas is over
The light of the world is still here
The light of the world
The light of the world
The light of the world
So take down the stockings, take back the sweaters
Take down the lights and the star and the tree
But don’t let this world take your joy after Christmas
Take joy to the world and just sing
Happy day after Christmas
And merry rest of the year
Even when Christmas is over
The light of the world is still here”
