Day 8

Is Christmas over yet? Don't get me wrong, I'm full of holiday cheer; it's just that I'm ready for it to have an outlet, like tearing open presents on Christmas and taking down holiday decorations. I've tried my best this year to get into the spirit. I've listened to Bing. I've trimmed our ornament tree. I even stayed up into the wee hours of the morn last night making an army of gingerbread men for friends and coworkers. It's a good feeling this Christmas cheer, but it's not really on par with, say, lying on a beach or going for a walk on a spring night or cuddling with your husband.

The real meaning of Christmas -- which is Christ and selfless service, for those who don't know --- is a different thing. But with the way faith is intertwined with my daily life, the true meaning of Christmas is something I think about in the middle of June, as well as December. Easter is about the true meaning of Christmas. So is my wedding anniversary. So I don't really need a holiday ornament hung from every lampost in town to feel it.

Part of the problem is that the Christmas season has been extended all the way back to Thanksgiving season and Halloween season and, in Christmas-crazed parts of the country, Labor Day barbecue season, which is really way too long to be anticipating a day that is pretty much just another day. Sure, Christmas is special. I have lots of fond memories of Christmases from my childhood. I like a lot about the season, but it's also a lot of build up. It gets to the point that you've waited so long for Christmas to come that when the actual day arrives, it's over too fast.

That's why I'm checking to make sure I haven't missed it. Plus, I need a way to gauge how long until I can break out my flip-flops again. Now that's something to cheer about.