Planning for joy at Christmas

How many different attitudes concerning Christmas have you heard expressed? Recently as I was walking, I noticed the premature array of Christmas decorations and music at the mall -- before Thanksgiving. Santa was staunchly stationed, dressed in fashionable ensemble of red suit and cap complete with white beard and mustache. Children bursting with excitement gathered around his "ho-ho-ho" innocently bidding for desired Christmas gifts.

After hearing various opinions concerning the celebration of Christ's birth, I pondered how I could best adjust to the overriding secular emphasis on Christmas -- "plan for appropriate joy at Christmas."

Awhile back, as my friend Marsha sat opening beautiful sets of jewelry she had purchased for Christmas gifts, I was astounded by her sudden outburst: "I hate Christmas!" Being curious why she voiced such a vehement declaration when she seemed so pleased with her choice of gifts, I interestedly asked, "Why do you hate Christmas?"

"Because of all the hubbub that's involved," she hastily answered. I immediately began to contemplate outlooks concerning Christmas.

Another person, with whom I have frequent contact, remarked his family was spending little for gifts this year. Instead, they were going skiing over the holidays -- sliding down the mountain together -- as family. "That is the greatest Christmas present we could ever have," he said. Wow! What a wonderful attitude!

My mother always seemed to enjoy everything about the Christmas season. She had little in the way of material possessions, but always bought something for everyone -- children, grandchildren or anyone she might entertain during the holidays. I can visualize her contagious smile as she attempted to ensure our family enjoyed the Christmas holidays. Each year she carefully rescued the raggedy Christmas tree from storage and decorated it -- with or without our help. She then picked pecans from a tree near our house and made her mouth-watering pecan pie for Christmas dinner. Although my dad suffered a stroke during my adolescent years, mom failed to complain; rather, she proclaimed, "I've got the Christmas spirit" -- and she did!

When Mom heard people say, "I cannot get into the Christmas spirit," she admonished, "You make your own Christmas spirit -- by what you do for others." She modeled those words and "planned for joy" by sending Christmas cards and procuring and wrapping presents -- while contemplating her Christmas dinner menu. My dad insisted we attend church, as usual, even though we begged to stay home and play with our toys.

Much depression, as well as joy, is encountered during the holiday season because many possess unrealistic expectations concerning holiday celebrations. Meager finances prevent some from reaching preconceived goals of gift giving. And others experience loneliness. A false perception of happiness and cheer prevails -- the feeling that everyone else is happy, loved and included in holiday festivities. And exhaustion from added work, piled on top of already hectic schedules, contributes to depression.

I normally look forward to Christmas, but I must admit I, too, have occasionally felt bogged down by too many perceived jobs to perform. However, the wonder and beauty of various church services provide a sense of peace and joy. And crisp winter air blowing across the sometimes snow-capped earth provides excitement. Singing Christmas carols, watching brightly colored lights, and even intermingling with the hustle and bustle of people shopping, brings eager anticipation and joy to me.

After meditating on the desirability of enjoying the Christmas holidays, I decided I must adjust to my individual circumstances and choose what I feel is most important in celebrating Christmas. Although I enjoy sending cards, decorating, and sharing presents, I shall hopefully continue remembering the "reason" for those activities, and consequently measure them according to my amount of time, funds and energy.

If I am blessed with company at Christmas I shall thank God. But if, for unavoidable reasons I find myself alone, I hopefully will adjust -- because I shall have "planned for joy" during the holidays. I can consciously remember the plight of Mary and Joseph as they searched for lodging and recall their joy at Christ's birth, in spite of drastically unfavorable conditions. I can also "plan for joy at Christmas" by knowing Jesus' birth in a humble stable was the fruit of God's plan for our inheritance of eternal life. Won't you plan to be joyful this Christmas?

Ellen Shuck is director of religious education at St. Mary's Cathedral in Cape Girardeau.