We Need Christmas
The Christmas season is fast approaching. As I sit in front of my fire sipping a peppermint coffee contemplating what to write– I take note that there is 4 weeks until the big day. In about a month and we will be celebrating, but when I look around my neighborhood, my town, and especially the city I live close to, the joy that this season brings has not yet sprinkled its spirit on. It seems, we need Christmas more than ever this year.
I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year… Charles Dickens
For those of you who know me, I love Christmas. I love the decorations, the excitement in a child’s face, the soft falling snow drifting from Heaven (even though as I write this, it feels like a nice fall day), and especially…I love the music. Each year, we (well, my Christmas-loving husband invented it) take a Thursday off work in November to begin our shopping. This was intended to brave the malls and stores without the busyness and hubbub that occurs on the weekends – and I must admit, I completely LOVE the day.
As I was driving to my first shopping destination, a song came on my playlist that struck a chord in me. We Need Christmas by Maddie and Tae. Have you heard it? If not, click the YouTube link below to hear it.
The lyrics are sensational. They touch my soul with warmth, memories and an overwhelming sense of Christmas spirit. Anyone in my age group may also agree!
Sidenote: For those of you born in the ages where lawn darts had spikes, wood burning kits were a must have for any boy, and cabbage patch dolls were priceless – then you will understand. For those of you who grew up with Gameboys, Bratz Dolls, and Bop It, you may miss the point of the song – unless you were raised with strong values of parents who grew up in the 80’s or prior – like our children have.
Below is a sample of the heartfelt lyrics by Maddie and Tae:
Lights that twinkle red and green
Charlie Brown on the TV screen
Hugs from friends and family
That's what we need right now
Buttons on a winter coat
Truck tires down a snowy road
That's the sound of coming home
That's what we need to right now
This world could use a little healing
Our hearts could surely use something to believe in
We need Christmas
Now more than ever to bring us together
We need Christmas
Come on December help us remember
The joy, the peace and the hope that love can bring
Oh, we need Christmas
Glancing around my section of the world would show a town that needs some healing. If my own town needs some healing, I would bet our Nation does too. I don’t watch the news, but the odd clip finds its way in my social media feed every now and then. Seeing those clips often displays a very sad nation.
People at war with each other
People not helping each other
People judging each other
People destroying each other
This certainly does not display Christmas spirit. This doesn’t even display kindness, love or humanity. I think we all need a little help to remember to love one another.
When I listen to this song, it is a great reminder to love one another. It is a great reminder of how simple life was back in the day (boy.. I sound like my parents now). It is a great reminder of how we NEED Christmas more than ever this year.
We need Christmas to remind us:
About the joy we can bring to someone in need
About the love that goes into baking shortbread cookies
About the songs that wrap us up in joy
About the memories that those old cartoons tap into
About the connection we feel when family visits
About the completeness that the Christmas spirit brings into our souls
We need Christmas.
So, as you begin your countdown to Christmas, take a moment and listen to those carols playing in the background at the mall, on the radio at your workplace, or in church with the choir singing. Those songs were designed to fill your soul with Christmas spirit. They are a gift. Open your heart up and receive the gift of song. I guarantee if you do, your Christmas spirit meter will explode and little by little – song by song – our Nation will see some healing. And that would be a wonderful Christmas miracle.
