only days now

We are now with-in a week of the big day, every one of our thoughts are probably set on ensuring that everything is in place for the 24 hours of Christmas. We are all like mini Santa’s, spending each waking moment making our lists and checking it twice. The list is probably very diverse, for example: last minute jobs at work, studying for exams, presents, food, decorating, travel plans, cards; oh the list just keeps growing. But just like taking an exam, at 5:00 on Christmas Eve, it is time to put the pencils down, because at that time, the show if over, the fat lady has sung, the stores are closed, the Fed Ex trucks are parked, and all you have left to do is enjoy.

As I sit here in my easy chair with a pipe in one hand and a glass of scotch in the other being warmed by the roaring fire, it give me time to reflect on why we take a time that should be a quiet reflection of all the blessings we have and turn it into a time where tempers are high, stress abounds and expectations are too high for anyone to achieve. So then if all the trappings are driving the stress, then what should we be doing? Let me begin with what we all have in common, and that is a genuine attraction to the film classic Christmas vacation. On the surface it is an amusing story about a family, and how “mucked” up Christmas can get when the focus is on secular values of Christmas and not the spiritual. So this year take a few minutes and reflect on why we put ourselves thru the stress. It all starts out with a man, Clark W. Griswold who only wants to provide his family with happiness and a swimming pool. He is a middle class hard working son-of a gun, with a successful career whose goal is to survive in a secular world, grasping endlessly for the values, while providing the trappings of the world for his dear wife, and precious children. The story evolves, by adding several key characters: His parents, his in-laws, his cousin, his boss, and the neighbors. Each one of them play a key role in the message of the story. Let’s start with Clark and Ellen. They are your typical middle class family; Clark walks the fine line between the secular society and the spirit society. In other words needs to be accepted by society while at the same time that candle of spirit is still glowing, but flickers as he lets “things” change the meaning of Christmas.  The parents, Clark’s parents are the old school middle class parents, elevating their children to the point where they are blinded by their Childs weaknesses as a reflection of theirs.  Ellen’s parents are the first to find fault, of others as to hide their own inadequacies.  The boss:  Mr. Shirley What a man, the American dream a true inspiration; Business owner, powerful, directing, demanding, tons of money, big house over there on Melody lane, wife running around in her PJ’s and mink coat with a pearl necklace.  The neighbors Todd and Margo: Classic upies want to bee’s, their life centers around themselves, a “couple” that only thinks of their individual needs and wants, have the latest top of the line gadgets, but in the end have nothing other than themselves. How can I forget Lewis and Bethany?  Two grouchy old people that want to feel  useful and appreciated, but are like the old Christmas decorations only to be seen once a year.  And last but not least the Johnson’s. Eddie, Edward, a man who has noting, and wants nothing, happy and content with his life and has a heart of gold. The trappings of the world do not affect either Eddie or his family, they are not judgmental accepting of his actions, not wondering what others may say, or passing judgment on what he feels ; his objective is to do what is ever necessary to make the lives of the people he loves fulfilled. So about this time I bet you are all wondering if 6 actually has a point to all of this rambling.. Well I do.. Christmas is not about stress, it is not about things, it is not about image, it is not about disappointment or envy. It is about the contentment the kind that one has as you look into the crèche and finding an infant with his arms open, giving himself to the world. He has everything and wants nothing other than to have his family at his side, no big house, no big tree, no presents, no swimming pool, no turkey he just wants to give of himself. Just ask and you will receive the important gifts and not those that tarnish and fade before you start the process over the next year. Now that is the true meaning of Christmas Vacation.