This Valentine’s aisle in Walmart is impressive. And it’s not the only one. there are three more like it, stocked with baskets, stuffed animals, heart-shaped balloons, t-shirts, hats, cards, socks, centerpieces, and just about anything you can think of.
How much money is spent on Valentine’s day? The National Retail Federation reports Americans will spend around $25.8 billion this year. Of course we spend more on Christmas, Easter, and Mother’s day, but that is an impressive number.
When did this holiday become a commercial success? When I was growing up, it was mostly cheap little valentines we gave to class mates at school and the little candy hearts with cute saying printed on them. I think my dad used to give my mom a big box of chocolates, which we gladly helped her consume. But that’s about it.
We spend most of our valentine money on cards and candy for our grandchildren, along with treats and small toys. They have the most fun with the holiday.
I was looking for something else on my computer when I came across this picture from a 1958 Christmas, gleaned from a collection of my dad’s slides. That’s the one-and-a-half me in the red jumpsuit. That’s my mom sitting in the chair, and I’m pretty sure that’s her dad on the left.
My gifts included a ball, a train building set, and a classic Lassie dog. But in this moment, I was all about the red balloon on which my mom must have drawn something.
I think this is my grandparents house in northeast Philadelphia. The live tabletop tree, carefully decorated with individual strands of tinsel, is encircled by an O-gauge Lionel electric train. A tiny nativity on the table is surrounded by a little host of angels.
Mom’s ever-present ashtray and cup of coffee are perched on the arm of her chair. I’ll bet I’m the reason why she looks weary on this Christmas morning. She was twenty-four in this picture.
My earliest memories come from when I was six years old. This is a Christmas flashback by virtue of the fact that my dad caught it on film. This Christmas memory is one I don’t remember. These pictures tell my story, a story that fascinates me.
My dad’s slides included three or four pictures from each Christmas. Not many compared to the dozens of digital photos we take every year. But enough to make me want to sift through them to learn more about my childhood, memories I don’t remember.
As my twice a day dogs walks take me through the streets of my neighborhood, I’ve intentionally captured the wide variety of Christmas yard decorations. Some are traditional. Some are way out there. Here’s a little tour, with a little commentary.
Snowmen rule the front yard displays this year, even here in Florida. As you can see, snowmen are happy, marry and raise families, and are athletic. They all dress for winter weather. I especially like the unique green imitation shrub snowman.
Interesting animals show up to celebrate the holiday from large dogs to elephants to dinosaurs.
And speaking of interesting animals, I thought this yard was worthy of it’s own place in my gallery. Be sure you don’t miss the narwhal, llama, fox, and brontosaurus, all decked out for the holidays.
The Christmas Basset Hound about to howl along with the herald angel makes me smile every time I walk by. Snoopy and Woodstock are classic, too.
This is the best of the nativities I’ve seen on my walks. The nicely built stable makes it stand out among the silhouettes, inflatables, and light-outlined figures in front of homes. Since none of the Christmas cards we’ve received picture a baby Jesus, I am glad we get to see him on this block.
Santa isn’t getting a lot of shade this year, but he still shows up here and there. I like this Santa and Mrs. Claus.
The Grinch isn’t as popular as he was last year. I thought this was Santa scrambling up the ladder, until I saw the green hands. Yep, Mr. Grinch.
Oh boy! Of course Mickey and Minnie will show up for Christmas.
Here’s a collection of strange characters. This year, someone decided gnomes looked enough like elves to include them in Christmas decorations. The cast of Christmas characters now includes Jack Skellington, Grogu (baby Yoda), Baby Shark, a goat, a unicorn, polar bears, and a frightened crab.
This one is for all you minimalists out there: a Santa hat on a stick.
And I’ll leave you with these two iconic characters. That is a very nice, big nutcracker outside a front door. Then I was delighted to see Saint Nicholas welcoming all to this home.
When I was growing up, it was candles in the windows and strings of lights on the eves of homes. Now you are likely to see anything and anyone celebrating Christmas!
As I was browsing through some stories and articles on Medium, I ran across this curious statement: “The holidays do things to some people.” So I began to wonder, “What kinds of things?” Not necessarily bad things. Hopefully good things, too.
The holidays make some people very generous. They give a lot to those whom they love as well as to strangers and causes of every size and shape. That’s a good thing, right?
The holidays make some some very family conscious. There is an underlying expectation that family will gather to celebrate, making it necessary to get time off, plan travel, pack and head out with zillions of other people to make the journey “home.” That’s good, right? Pretty much, unless you’ve neglected that dimension of your life for the past year, making it feel like you’re in an awkward roomful of strangers who don’t know each other very well.
The holidays are a whole bucket full of stress for some. That’s probably not a good thing. Folks become more and more snippy as the season unfolds. Too much to do, not enough time, and unrealistic expectations sap tidings of comfort and joy from their lives.
The holidays drive some to excess. It’s so easy to spend too much, drink too much, schedule too much, and eat too much. Probably not good.
The holidays sometimes prompts you to reflect on your life, the year past, your relationships, and the stuff you have. Such reflection can generate gratitude, make you dream, help you set goals, and maybe try something new. That one sounds good to me.
It seems like a no-brainer. The holiday season, spanning Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas and New Years is rooted in Christian tradition, filled with special music and worship services, and fills our view with many Christian themes. The busyness of the season, whether it’s planning for guests, getting ready for travel, scheduling worship, buying and wrapping gifts or practicing for performances, we may discover that there isn’t a whole lot of room for Christ himself, a problem dating back to the birth of our Lord.
So, how do you stay close to God during this fun, amazing and busy time of the year?
Put him on the calendar. There’s worship at your church on Sunday mornings and maybe some midweek services during Lent. Ink them in and be there. Our Lord promises to join our worship gatherings of two, three or more, speaks to us as His Word is proclaimed, and brings His gifts of grace in the sacrament. These worship moments provide an anchor when you find yourself being pulled in many different directions.
Do a “plus one.” OK, you already have a morning quiet time or evening devotion. Grab a seasonal devotion and give him an extra five minutes. Our church gives them out. Many are available online. Here’s a great one from Lutheran Hour Ministries. Just like that first cup of coffee, jump start your day with His word rather than all the other things going on. It makes all the difference in the world. (Bonus points: get or make a little Advent wreath and burn the candles.)
Play a little sacred seasonal music. You can listen to non-stop Christian music every day beginning well before Thanksgiving. Much of it, however, will be secular rather than sacred. You can find it on Pandora, Spotify, YouTube and Amazon if you look. Most of your favorite artists have a Christmas album. I like “All I Want For Christmas is You” and “Sleigh Ride” as much as the next person, but you can do a whole lot better.
If you send Christmas cards, send one with a Christian message. You would not believe how many member of my church send me secular Christmas cards featuring cardinals, snowmen, and Santas! It’s usually around 50%! There are so many amazing and affordable cards that creatively capture the birth of Christ. Pick up a box of those to send out, for your sake and theirs.
Serve. Help out at church, help out a neighbor, help at a local ministry. Don’t just give something or send something. Be there. Jesus said, “As you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” Jesus came and spent time with those who seemed furthest away from the kingdom. That’s where you’ll still find him in this world.
If those don’t work for you, I’m OK with that. If gingerbread, Burl Ives, Kris Kringle, mistletoe and the Hallmark Channel do it for you, go for it. If not, why not try something different this year?
As I was browsing through some stories and articles on Medium, I ran across this curious statement: “The holidays do things to some people.” So I began to wonder, “What kinds of things?” Not necessarily bad things. Hopefully good things, too.
Waite for it... 