"And So this is Christmas . . "

Every year the holidays seem to come and go much more quickly.  They are as ephemeral as the snowflakes that often accompany them, often dissolving on glass even as they accumulate on dead grass and concrete.

Tonight I went to a brief, but wonderful, Christmas concert of classic carols and music, sung in harmony by amateur musicians with professional heart.

With each note, I heard the ghosts of everyone I've loved, those same phantoms of Christmas past blinking in the lights of the Christmas tree.

For the first time this season in all of the frantic behavior, it felt like Christmas. Our holiday is low key this year, wrapped more in memory than giftwrap.  How I miss my mother and dad, my grandparents, uncles, good friends now long gone.

As I age, I measure my life in Christmases past, and wonder now many will be in my future.  Memories of the smoked chicken and pheasants we used to have are almost better than whatever it is we have for dinner this year.  At least we aren't coming off of or planning funerals. 

What memories do you cherish of The Holidays?  I remember and treasure the memory of nearly every gift I've ever received, and I've treasured the giver more.  I treasure memories of handmade Christmas gifts and cards, of cooking my mother's recipes one after the other to try to resurrect her.

To those who lament the alleged commercialism and  excess of Christmas, I say Christmas is more than that, those aspects have been lamented since at least the 6th century.  Christmas is good will, and good feelings, it is fellowship, and music, and spirituality.  There is nothing like it, and no one like Santa and its key players, including the Holy Family and the three wise men.

Angels we have indeed heard on high, and sometimes, we even listen to them.

God bless us, everyone!