“There are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I have not profited, I dare say,’ returned the nephew. ‘Christmas among the rest. But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round—apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that—as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!”  ~Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

 

I’ve noticed that as the years have come and gone, the magic of the peppermint-sweet season has seemed to steadily decline. My love for Christmas certainly hasn’t dwindled, but the overwhelming splendor of the season I once knew has now become something else. I think, instead of being swept away by the whole season altogether, I’m now experiencing the same bliss in small, mere moments. Christmas to me was once the bright, joyous Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and now is the mild tenderness of Silent Night.

It’s sort of a sad transition, yet there is something delicious about it too. Much like the Christmas season, the seasons of our own lives are temporary and are best enjoyed while in the midst of them. I will always cherish the wide-eyed wonder Christmas brought in my childhood, but now, I look forward to what adulthood will bring out of the season.

Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy all that the season offers. Like this week, I was able to experience several Christmas gaieties!

During the week, I was able to witness the Capitol Tree Lighting on the West Lawn alongside a church friend! It was a bear to get onto the actual lawn, so we decided to view the festivities from afar. Honestly, the only thing that was hindered was being able to hear the politicians and guest-speakers clearly. Seeing as how they sounded like Charlie Brown’s teacher from where we stood, it really only heightened the Christmas theme.

On Friday, two church friends and I experienced the Zoo Lights at the National Zoo. Though I did have a good time with my gal pals, the Columbus Zoo Lights still hold the title of Best Lights Display in my heart. Hands down.

On Saturday, DC was graced with a couple inches of snow. I am a firm believer that snow can make anything more beautiful, so it was refreshing to see statues and buildings I have walked by dozens of times in a new way. Snow brings out a slowness in me that allows an appreciation of what has gone unnoticed. The natural wiggled its way into the unnatural; brick and stone became a canvas that snow was compelled to paint upon.

Saturday evening, I treated a dear friend and I to a performance of The Nutcracker. The theatre was beautiful, our seats extravagant, and the show was incredible. I was slightly disappointed by the absence of an orchestra, but whatever lack there was in musical artistry, it was compensated by the skill and grace of the performers. The Sugar Plum Fairy will always cause my jaw to drop, no matter how often I see her do turn after turn after turn.

 

So, you see, Christmas hasn’t really changed. The lights are still bright, the company is still sweet, the snow is still breath-taking, and the festivities still smile-inducing.

It is I who has changed. It is I who views the season with a gentle smile tucked in the corner of my mouth. For it has done me good. And will do me good.