Who's Stealing Your Jolly?

Creating a Non-Partisan Christmas

About this same time every year, I pack up the last of my orders and focus my attention on ideas that will bring comfort to those grieving during the holiday season. Realizing it is such a difficult time for most (especially the first year without their loved ones), I take this task rather seriously. Year after year, this is an important part of my Christmas season. Is there a way to bring a little comfort and joy to my customers? 

This year, however, it seems different - something is very different. My "jolly" is missing.  How did that happen?  After a moment of reflection it became obvious.  Instead of playing Christmas music while I worked, I had the television turned up loud enough to hear every word of the house impeachment hearings.  When I reached the end of a long day and decided to watch a movie, it was interrupted with hearing updates. My son was talking about Trump tweets, my social media feed was flooded with partisan opinions, and I spent too much time trying to decipher truth from fiction.  Tweets, Evidence, Lack of Evidence, Witnesses, Fair Trial, Approval Ratings, Fake Ratings, Rallies, Commentaries, Articles of Impeachment, Senate, Economy, No Crime Committed, Criminal - how can anyone possibly be jolly?

So, how is it possible to celebrate Christmas this year without a heart full of joy? 'Tis the season to be jolly? It simply didn't happen organically this year.  I had to intentionally set out to find my jolly.  I have a plan for the next few days, and I hope you will join me.

I am going to focus on the reason for the season.  I will not interact with any type of political posts. When there's talk about a tweet, I won't listen and keep my beak shut.  Instagram and Facebook posts that deal with anything political will fly through my feed as fast as my finger can swipe.  I will encourage my visitors to leave their political gifts at the front door. Politics are put in a box not to be opened until after my Christmas presents have been unwrapped.  

I will do as I have in the past and totally focus on Faith, Hope & Love.

Faith is my reason for the season.  Christ was born on Christmas Day and it is cause for celebration. Many of my customers/new friends couldn't get through their loss without the faith that is delivered (literally) on Christmas day. I certainly want to encourage each and every one of them to clear their minds of politics and concentrate on the true meaning of Christmas. 

I try to do whatever I can to help those who appear to lack hope. Whether it's giving a pair of gloves to the homeless, sending charity donations where needed, or offering a hug to those grieving.  If you have time - give it freely. If you have money - open your wallet.  If you have neither, try finding a way to bring hope to someone else.  For me, giving a gift of hope to someone else enables my own hope to grow.

"The Greatest of These is Love". Let's face it - giving gifts, preparing meals for others, singing carols with one another, baking cookies to share - that's what Christmas is all about.  Turn on Love and turn off everything else.  

Celebrating The Holidays - #IAMJOLLY

Deck the hall with boughs of holly,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
'Tis the season to be JOLLY
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
Fill the meadcup, drain the barrel,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
Troul the ancient Christmas carol,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!

Celebrating Christmas - #IHAVEJOY

God rest you merry, Gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay,
For Jesus Christ our Saviour
Was born upon this Day.
To save poor souls from Satan's power,
Which long time had gone astray.
Which brings tidings (news and information) of comfort and JOY.

Please take a moment to find YOUR jolly.  Once you have found it, it will be nearly impossible to conceal your joy!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!