Once Upon A Midnight Clear

Once upon a time there was a mom who had all her Christmas presents purchased and wrapped before Thanksgiving. She wanted to keep December free for baking. Store bought wouldn’t do. Throughout that month the house was filled with incredible cookie fragrances. It was hard to keep the baked goods away from her family, but, of course, they got to sample each batch. On Christmas Eve cookie packages for family and friends were assembled, wrapped, and labeled. There were hundreds of treats, dozens of varieties. People looked forward to their “little something.” Once upon a midnight clear preparation was not an imposition.

Once upon a time homemade gifts were proudly made by children, even though they had circled nearly everything in the Sears Wish Book toy catalog. Fathers proudly displayed school-made clay dishes and colorful cards created with lots of paste, glitter, and ribbon. Mothers were thrilled with paper flowers and promises to dry the dishes and be good. Families made decorations for the home. Handmade ornaments covered the Christmas tree. Yards of red and green paper chains festooned the dining room. Cranberries and popped corn garlands draped the Christmas tree. Everyone helped. Once upon a midnight clear simplicity was the norm.

Once upon a time you listened all year for unexpressed wishes, watched for unfulfilled needs, and planned something unexpected that you’d really like someone to have. Gift cards were not an option because too much thought was invested into gift selection. No one worked from a list entitled “I want exactly this, from this particular store; and you’d better get it right!” No one re-gifted. Shoppers were not told that it is good to “pick up an extra gift for yourself,” or that they should use Christmas shopping to load up on things they wanted for themselves. Once upon a midnight clear people were grateful, not greedy.

Once upon a time several evenings were set aside to write Christmas greetings with personal notes enclosed. There were no “Holiday Letters,” written on the computer, decorated with clip-art, and sent en masse to dozens of remote addressees. No one emailed impersonal electronic greetings to everybody on their “Contact List”. Correspondents genuinely wished each other the joys of the season, peace and good health in the New Year. Cards were saved; messages savored. They were warm, intimate, and genuine. People cared about each other and expressed their feelings with thoughtful notes, small gifts, and friendly gestures. Shut-ins were visited; lonely relatives urged to “join us for dinner—we’ll pick you up.” People took time in this special season of miracles. Once upon a midnight some things were clear.

Best wishes for a Happy Christmas and a Peaceful and Healthy New Year, from the Christmas Grump