Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Christmas Spirit



Thank you Syd for this fine looking award.  I can't read what it says, but I bet it is nice because Syd wouldn't send me something snarky.

So, on this morning when I thought I had finally run out of things to write about (after 1185 posts), I have something to write about.  

There are lots of rules and if I could ever figure out how to cut and paste into blogger on a mac, I would post them, but I can't figure it out, so I will just write five things I love about Christmas.  I also won't tag anyone because the people I would normally tag aren't the kind who are nuts about Christmas.  

1.  Christmas is the birthday of Jesus.  I love this.  I love the Nativity narrative.  I love the humble birth of a King.  I love Mary's "yes."  I love Joseph's "yes."  To impossible tasks given them by an Angel.  These humble people just said "yes."  

2.  I love that the whole world is lit up in celebration of this birthday.  I think most people who celebrate "Christmas" don't think they are celebrating the birth of Jesus, but I think they are. 

3.  I love the darkness of the Advent Colors.  I love the vestments of purple and the dark church and the candles and the overarching spirit of "waiting."  

 4.  I love the brilliant white and gold at Christmas morning Mass.

5.  I love the little candles in every window.  The tradition is that this is a message that Jesus is welcome in this house.  

6.  I love the 6:30 a.m. AA meeting before Mass on Christmas morning.  I love to see people who have survived their first sober Christmas and found out it is more than drunken parties and expensive gifts.  

7.  I love to look around the AA meeting room on Christmas morning and think of the hearts that won't be broken today because someone's loved one is sitting at a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous and they may later show up for church, show up for the family, be at dinner, not tell off their mother in law, not knock over the Christmas tree, etc.  You get the picture.  

And just because I am Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary... 

I cannot stand the commercials for the Lexus in the driveway on Christmas morning.  I cannot stand the pressure that gets put on us to make this day something so special by spending tons and tons of money we don't have.  

The most special Christmases I have had have been very humble.  The gifts my kids still have and love?  The ones I hand knit for them.  

Christmas is tough on alcoholics.  It is a good time to hang at an AA club if you are new.  It is a good time to make your face seen at AA meetings if you are not new.  This will be my 25th sober Christmas.  I am so grateful for that.  

9 comments:

Scott W said...

Adding my sober Christmas from the first go round, this one will mark 7 sober ones for me. For that I am entirely grateful.

I like your list. It's so Mary.

Pammie said...

I love it when the newcomers excitedly tell everyone that they made it thru their 1st sober christmas. It's awsome.

Syd said...

Thanks so much. This is a wonderful list MC. It is deeply felt things. These are the real things about Christmas. I knew that you would capture the spirit of this special time.

dAAve said...

This IS a very Mary list.
I am not really big on the holidays, but I DO enjoy the decorations.

Kathy Lynne said...

last year it was all about staying sober...this year..its more about what's on your list..i'm looking forward to spending time in church and meditation more than seeing my kids faces as they open their gifts..though that's always fun...

Hope said...

I especially love Mary's "yes", too.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful list and today I am so grateful for so much! Thank you!
The beauty of Christmas shines through in this post!
Thank you

Wait. What? said...

Congrats MC - great list!!!

Anonymous said...

I love Mary's "yes" too. I love to reflect on that through out the year. Especially when life doesn't seem to make sense.