It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
The hap-happiest season of all is upon us.
Every year, Christmas rolls around and reminds us of the joy, hope, and possibility that teems in the amazing world around us. Indeed, each December the cold feels a little less biting, strangers become noticeably more inviting, and lights majestically twinkle ten times more brightly.
In other words, December is the month of magic.
Notably, Clement Clarke Moore perfectly captures this exhilarating possibility for enchantment in his now-famous poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas”:
‘Twas
the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her ’kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
“Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a pedler just opening his pack.
His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle,
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.”
Charming, right?
Notably, Santa didn’t start off with a reputation this rosy.
Interestingly, Clement Clarke Moore anonymously published his poem in Troy, New York’s Sentinel Newspaper on December 12, 1823. During this time, the “Santa character” was commonly depicted as a gaunt, non-jolly, horse-riding disciplinarian[1] and lacked the vivid charm and charisma that defines the beloved holiday hero we know today. In an attempt to give Old Saint Nick a fair shot at a second, more appealing narrative, Moore published a poem that portrays Santa with eight (cheerily named) reindeer and illustrates a chubby, cheerful, revered icon who magically delivers presents to children around the world. Compelling words such as “luster,” “twinkle,” “merry,” and “cheery” capture this vibrant essence and breathe vivacity into the emblem that captures hearts across the globe.
“While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.”
Perhaps my favorite line from Moore’s poem, this sentiment perfectly captures the joyous anticipation that defines the holiday season. Notably, kids and adults alike use this time to slow down, create extra space for important human connection, and lose themselves in the magic of unfettered possibility. Afterall, impossible is nothing when thoughts of sugar plums pervade even your subconscious thought, right[2]?
Pure magic.
Joy surrounds us this holiday season, but only if we know where (and how) to look. Keep in mind joy is not a passive thing; rather, it is our responsibility to seek joy in our everyday surroundings and seize ordinary moments that cultivate extraordinary feelings of wonder and hope. Here are three small ideas to intentionally choose joy and embrace the magic of the season[3]:
1. Surround yourself with Christmas cheer: There’s no better way to get your “Christmas on” than to pick out a tree, pull out your decorations, crack open a bottle of wine[4], and crank up the speakers with beloved holiday classics. As a sucker for all things red and green, I tend to go a little crazy over Christmas decorations, and I derive an immense[5] amount of joy from unpacking each treasure from its place on the shelf[6] and strategizing just the right spot where it will maximize holiday cheer and inspire joy. Unsurprisingly, Christmas trees play a significant role in creating this overall ambiance, and last weekend Cam and I found a tree with just the right dimensions and unexpected “punch” of character that is perfect for our space. Apartment living comes with its tradeoffs, but we could not be happier with our miniature, “fun-sized” buffalo plaid-clad Tannenbaum.
2. Bake a sinfully scrumptious treat (or two, or three…): It’s no secret food is one of the most highly-anticipated elements of the holiday season. This December, why not explore new cookbooks and stretch yourself by experimenting with an unusual recipe? In this vein, I recently followed Joanna Gaines’ recipe for “Quick Orange-Walnut Sweet Rolls.” Hungry[7] to try something new, I was eager to whip up some magic in the kitchen and give this recipe a go. The ingredients call for orange, walnuts, and plenty of cinnamon, so things could only go so wrong[8]. The steps were simple and intuitive, and I enjoyed rolling out the (pre-made) dough and savoring the rich, indulgent scents as notes of cinnamon and orange pervaded our apartment. The results were incredible, and the end product turned out even better than expected[9]. This Christmas, I encourage you try this recipe[10] or anything else that piques your interest and stirs your creativity to experiment and share good foods with the people you love.
3. Start a new holiday tradition: Christmas is filled with highly-anticipated customs and family rituals that play important roles in establishing and perpetuating the enchantment of the season. That said, it is always exhilarating to explore local offerings and establish new traditions, as doing so can heighten Christmas magic and wonder in unique, unprecedented ways. Last year Cam and I visited the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train as it rolled through our local station. Each December, the Holiday Train stops in more than two-dozen Minnesota towns on its annual ride through the northern United States, bringing festive entertainment and holiday goodwill in exchange for donations to local food banks and other visible acts of community camaraderie. We were awestruck as we immersed ourselves in the anticipatory crowd that chose to brave the cold for a brief opportunity to take in the dazzling lights, enjoy live music, and embrace the essence of otherness that defines the season. New traditions have a special ability of invoking and revitalizing feelings of childlike wonder, and we very much look forward to celebrating this Christmas with another Holiday Train stop next week.
As of today, there are only twenty days until Christmas[11]. What will you do to embrace the magic of the holiday season?
Certainly, there will be parties for hosting, marshmallows for toasting, and carolers out in the snow, but amidst the flurry of Christmas activity be to step back from the tinsel and holly and take a moment to appreciate the true joy and hope the holiday season will bring.
Merry Christmas to all.
And to all, a good-night.
[1] Appealing, right? “Old Santa” sounds a lot like Dwight from The Office…
[2] Food motivation is certainly a “thing,” particularly during the holiday season. If you’re anything like me, your motto should be “Will work for food.” Seriously, though: The struggle is real.
[3] Disclaimer: While these suggestions are by no means “revelatory,” my hope is they generate inspiration for how you might prepare for your own joyous season. Personalization is key here: Make it work for you!
[4] Really, any alcohol will do.
[5] Read: Mildly concerning.
[6] *Not to be confused with Elf on a Shelf… I’m sorry, but that little dude is creepy!
[7] (Literally.)
[8] Plus, Cam adores cinnamon rolls (honestly, it’s kind of an obsession), so I knew I would have someone to appreciate my baking even if it didn’t live up to expectation.
[9] That dough!
[10] Here you go! Courtesy of Joanna Gaines à la Katie Puszka!
[11] But who’s counting?
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