On my way into town early this morning for an appointment, two drivers allowed several others to merge into traffic and change lanes on a busy route in our area without offensive hand gestures.  A little later, the usually-stone-faced attendant just inside the medical facility taking temperatures and tracking information actually smiled with a holiday greeting first.  In the lab, the phlebotomist told holiday jokes while drawing blood.  The pharmacist filled two extra prescriptions on-the-spot so another trip into town was not necessary this week.  Carols were playing, folks were smiling with their eyes, and everyone found ways to spread a little cheer in the midst of a COVID world.

Is it me or were others intentionally finding ways to greet and capture all the sights, sounds, scents, and sentiments of the holiday season?  However we celebrate, expressing and actively living the reason for the season is a powerful tool; the challenging part for most of us is finding ways to continue sharing the story in our daily lives.

One of the ways I choose to live and share the story is the annual preparation and sending of Christmas cards with family and friends (this is currently in progress as I type.) Call me old-school (and I’ve blogged on this topic before), but even in the age of social media, nothing compares to sending and receiving cards, notes, and informative letters each year.  In my classroom years, we handmade cards from mounds of scrap art materials, filling them with heartfelt, handwritten notes, decorations, and sentiments of the season.  One of my more creative learners (who successfully endured four years with me in four different grade levels) LOVED this tradition.  His choice of colors and textures along with his written words were personally filled with love for the recipient of each card.  During our final year together, he sadly made a comment I’ll never forget, “You know, I hope someday someone sends me a personal card; I’ll keep it forever.”  It stunned me to realize he was always the giver and never the receiver. (I’m pleased to share we continue to exchange personal cards each Christmas, over 30 years now, while I fondly ponder our conversations about why Christmas cards mean so much to us.)

So on this first day of December, here’s a seasonal sentiment to ponder:

“Picture a Christmas Card or seasonal sentiment you received from a friend or family member. What made it so special to you?” 

As we usher in December and prepare in anticipation to welcome a new year soon, here’s hoping you take a few moments to send some greetings of your own this holiday…the sentimental impact will likely be more powerful than the greetings bestowed.  Especially this year, may we help each other find tender ways to capture the reason for the season through our daily words and deeds; we could all use a little more reflective sentiment as we wrap up 2020.  Be a blessing and be blessed, my friends!  🙂