Christmas in September

   

It all started when I stopped to sniff the balsam candle in the hallway closet. Right there, behind the sheets, it called to me

Who doesn’t love the smell of a fresh-cut Christmas tree? I wanted to dive right into it.

After three weeks of homeschooling, I craved a holiday. That’s when the crazy idea hit me. Why not celebrate Christmas just for a day?

Yeah, I know we’re three months early. I know it’s 100 degrees in Texas. I’m just not very good a resting. So go ahead and laugh, but a pretend holiday provided the escape we needed.

So, the kids and I hatched a plan.

1. Christmas pajamas.
2. Christmas books.
3. Presents (toys we sent on “vacation” to the garage a few months ago.)
4. Christmas-style breakfast with dad.

While they prepared for bed, I snuck our “small” Christmas tree from the attic. By the time bedtime arrived, giddiness had reached a fever pitch.

Children stand ready to enjoy life. We can learn so much from them.

The morning arrived, and I dragged a plastic bag, stuffed with out-of-rotation toys, into our living room and parked them under the tree.

We whistled to Christmas music and lowered the AC to one degree below chilly. What is Christmas without snuggling under covers and hot chocolate?

The pretense didn’t stop there. The kids piled on hats, scarves and gloves to add to the make believe.

I admit, I struggle at make believe. Heck. Sometimes, I struggle to believe at all.

Belief comes so easily to children. I want belief like that, and I think I have discovered a little of their magic.

1. Children don’t care what others think.

Adults think this kind of make-believe, Christmas in September is foolish. Not kids. They don’t need cold, hard facts like when a holiday actually appears on the calendar to celebrate.

2. Kids focus on the good. Kids gravitate toward fun and joy. What would happen if we all chose to focus on the good in our lives instead of the lack?

We all desire joy, but kids don’t have walls around their hearts to prevent this joy.

After breakfast we thanked God for sending His Son.

Tonight we’ll take the tree down grateful for our misplaced holiday. The kids didn’t want to stop celebrating. Who would?

“Are we going to celebrate New Year’s in September, too,” one of the kids asked.

“No, we aren’t,” I said, admiring that kind of audacious hope.

3. Kids always hope.

Looking back at the rare moments I find myself full of child-like faith I’m usually meditating on the good, forsaking what others think and hoping for the best.

How about you?