I’ve decided to celebrate Christmas this year.  That might not sound particularly exciting, but in this pandemic time that has brought so many losses, big and small, it is exciting.  This year I haven’t celebrated anything — my seminary graduation, 20th college reunion, 20th wedding anniversary, my birthday, Thanksgiving.  I know others have found new ways to celebrate this year, but for me these days simply came and went.  Thinking ahead to Christmas, I was beginning to get overwhelmed with the feeling of having to do Christmas at home myself this year, as we won’t be with extended family.  My mother usually takes care of filling all the stockings, my dad and I work together in the kitchen, my sister’s five year-old and her two dogs add a great amount of entertainment.   

I took some time to sit with this feeling of impending overwhelm and think about what I really want Christmas to feel like.  I want joy!  I want to celebrate Christmas!  I started thinking of ways that I could see this year as an opportunity to create new traditions, to make Christmas what I really want it to be, without pressure or expectations.  So I talked to my husband and 17 year-old son about this idea.  We decided to have fewer presents but more decorations this year.  And my son would like pizza on Christmas Eve and a stocking filled with ping pong balls!

As we approach the holidays, I encourage you to celebrate.  Celebrate anything in any way you’d like.  But please be sure to make it special for you and those you love.  Make it what you want it to be.  Make it joyful.  Make it something to remember; after all, 2020 will most definitely be a year to remember.  

Wishing you much joy this holiday season,

Jennifer, CPE Intern