"Twas The Day After Christmas

‘Twas the day after Christmas and all through the house

all the creatures were bloated, down to the last mouse.

The boxes were scattered, empty and bare

in hopes that the trash man soon would be there.

The children were fighting over stuff in their beds

while visions of escape danced in their heads.

And Mama in her bathrobe and I in my cap,

are hoping for football or a long quiet nap.

Yep, the day after Christmas, the post-holiday letdown often sees even the most cheery people melt to grumpiness.

The days or weeks of preparation, the arrival of or travel to family, the last minute frenzy to deal with all the things forgotten–well, there is an inevitable let-down.

Other influences don’t help. The artistic whimsy of Norman Rockwell and his idealized paintings of holiday gatherings, along with the plethora of holiday movies, all of which end in perfect delight and happiness, tend to leave us with a somewhat unrealistic view of what will happen with Christmas family gatherings.

Most are delightful combinations of fun, gifts, memories, worship, and relaxation. But there are often tensions, plus the best of plans go wrong, people get sick, cars break down, and sometimes too much food, drink and consumer excess and just plain exhaustion can take their toll.

So, let me make a few suggestions for post-Christmas malaise.

Remember that no two people ever get along perfectly. Ever. Or if they say they do, then one of them is probably stretching the truth just a bit.

We very much get on each other’s nerves.  And we really get on each other’s nerves when burdened by unrealistic and unreachable expectations. Again, this can be an aftermath of seeing too many idealized depictions of Christmas and then making unhelpful comparisons.

Go ahead and forgive all your relatives and the stuff they did to drive you crazy.  Right now. Just release it.  Remember, you cannot forcibly change the behavior or beliefs of others.

If something just didn’t work, or if a series of similar family gatherings ended up in discomfort for many, consider different options for the next year. It may be time to change some unwritten rules (most families have a series of these!) that are causing more harm than good.

When the time comes to remove your decorations, choose gratefulness for each ornament you put away. Take your time, admire the beauty and savor the memory of those decorations.

If you resent doing this, then just give them to someone who will appreciate them. Remember, this isn’t a religion. You will not face eternal punishment if you dispose of a few things.

Go ahead and spend those gift cards and other Christmas money. Do it now. It really is important to shop this time of the year because this is what keeps our economy going. A little extravagance, especially if you are slightly grumpy, can go a long way. Plus, too many gifts cards are never redeemed.

Set aside 10% of what you received or a gift card you might not use and donate these funds to some well-run charity. You’ll feel wonderful later. Remember that there are genuinely hungry, cold and desperate people around, even after Christmas. Or even especially after Christmas when they tend to be forgotten.

Consider one more time the words that Mary, mother of Jesus, spoke when she learned she was pregnant with the Holy Child. They remind us that that gift of the Child to this poor, unmarried woman displays God’s love and compassion toward the powerless and hungry. Won’t hurt us at all to keep such things in mind.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour; he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed; the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his name.

He has mercy on those who fear him, from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm and has scattered the proud in their conceit, casting down the mighty from their thrones and lifting up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.

He has come to the aid of his servant Israel, to remember his promise of mercy, The promise made to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children for ever.

Let’s now rewrite that last of that classic poem this way:

We complained not a word but went straight to our work

And filled all the boxes, not an item will lurk

Setting aside time to stop and smell roses

Our spirits then freed and cheered up our noses.

We spring for the day, to our team give a whistle

And our burdens all fly like the dawn of a thistle.

So we exclaim as we consider the sight,

Of charity bounding and more to see light.

[Note: this article first ran as the weekly religion column in the Dec. 26, 2014 edition of the Denton Record Chronicle.]