She's waiting for Christmas joy

Twas the week before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even the cat. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, or they would have been if I could have found them and if we had a chimney. We hoped that Saint Nicholas soon would be there, but not too soon as there was still so much to do.
We yearned to be nestled all snug in our bed but visions of presents left to buy danced in our heads. There are cookies still to bake. The house needs a good cleaning. And I promised to bring a casserole to our Christmas celebration. Where are the elves when I need them? Oh, yeah, they’re at the north pole making toys for all the good girls and boys.
Then out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. Oh, wait. We don’t have shutters and there is no way I’m opening a window this time of year. So I just peeked out through the glass.
The combination of streetlights and the lights from the county jail across the way gave the luster of mid-day to objects outside.  When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer. At least that’s what I wished I had seen. All I could really see were a trove of black squirrels plotting to dig more holes in the yard. I swear I could hear them giggling from their perches in the lilacs. The clatter was caused by the neighbor’s trash can fleeing down the street.
There is a wreath on our door that bangs with every gust of wind. There’s a stained glass Santa that needs its base repaired standing in the window that also needs to be repaired. The decorations are sparse this year but that doesn’t stop Gracie the calico cat from rearranging the ones we have. She recently moved a stuffed Santa from a shelf onto the floor without knocking him over. This is after she was chastised for trying to eat his beard.
I’m not quite sure why the decorations are staying in their boxes this year. Nor do I know why the Christmas season has failed to move me. For some reason, getting all that stuff out to display for a few short weeks seems like too much trouble.
Whenever I see a red Christmas kettle I get a twinge of Christmas spirit but then it evaporates. Speaking of red kettles —why do the bell ringers always look like they could use the donations for themselves? And why don’t they dress up like Santa any more?
And yet, this remains my favorite holiday. I look forward to singing along with all the Christmas carols on the radio. Maybe that is part of the problem. I have changed to a different radio station and it hasn’t started playing carols every other song yet.
People have been celebrating this time of year for ages and ages. They celebrate for both secular and religious reasons. There are many different beliefs and they all seem to coalesce to imbue the air with a feeling of happiness and expectation. And yet, I don’t feel the spirit yet. Shopping is a chore rather than fun, although I still enjoy making all the toys emit as much noise as possible.
By Christmas day I expect Santa to have worked his magic. It isn’t about the presents. It is about goodwill towards all. Even the despicable black squirrels. It’s about spending time with family and friends. It is specifically about a small baby who grew up to change the world; a baby who grew up to bring us the message that God loves us and wants us to love each other. This is the season when we try to heed that message. It is a season of miracles.
In that spirit I wish a happy Christmas to all and may all your holidays be good ones.[[In-content Ad]]