©December 2000
Carol Jane Remsburg
The
Night Before the Night Before . . .
It's the night before the night before Christmas. My offspring is now bent in an unnatural way. The human form cannot be bent into such an angle without breakage. The day of gifts, food, and purity of spirit are only hours away. Her angst is like mine, not over the gifts but of the surety of her acceptance with grace of the gifts she will receive and give.
The
night before the night before is one of grace which all of us should accept and
adore. The want and the need to become
special and within the light of love burns strong, it's a bright thing.
Our
circle is one of close bonds though we would encompass the world with our
burgeoning love if we could. It's that
childlike hope that supports even the jaded among us. We hope, we share, we reach, and we love. It's the idea that we are not alone in this
world.
We
buy gifts that our budget scoffs at and prepare feasts that our pocketbooks
laugh at. Still, we do this. We stretch and we reach. We are full of the wonder of the season, we
don't question the reason or rhyme, we just do and pay the price later on. We don't grouse about it. Our offerings are a gift we manage. It's our love as we open our hearts and bare
them to others as we give.
Christmas
is the one time of year that sentimentalism isn't scoffed at. Even the Grinchs and the Scrooges among us
sneak in their love under the cover of materialism or some other venue. We all manage it even if it's only the
Christmas tree.
I
know a family that moved just last week.
It took all their funds, even for the tree, just to manage the
move. There will be no Christmas in
their house this year unless someone arrives with packages wrapped in foil and
ribbon and brings a tree.
I
don't know about you, but I've the presents and a tree will be
forthcoming. I'm also bringing a feast
worthy of the name.
My
home is warm and my family is safe. Why
wouldn't I offer the same to another?
That's the whole meaning to the season—giving.
For
those of us nestled safe and warm, it's time we look outward. Let us all help those who have tried and
cannot yet manage the Christmas season for themselves. It's then we know we've done our best and
feel the true warmth of the season.
That itself bears the true ring of giving and the glory of the rite.
May
yours be as merry as mine. Bless you.