Andy Williams singing “O Holy Night” during a Christmas episode of his 1960s variety show.
You’ve got to live life to write a book about it.
– American singer and actor Andy Williams was born on this day in 1927 (died 2012)
Wise words from a great singer and entertainer. They go along with what I’ve written here before about “writing what you know.”
What I know this week is that Christmas is once again approaching at far too rapid a pace. No, let me rephrase that.
The business of Christmas is approaching, which is not what it’s all about.
I am delighted to be going this evening to opening night of Glorious Christmas Nights. Most years I’d be in the cast and would have been rehearsing for weeks. But the late-great-(and actually still current)-unpleasantness caused me to take a step back. I’ll be seeing the show again the final weekend.
But after that, there’s a whirlwind of holiday events. Parties and shows to see and shopping to do and company coming. I love it. Well most of it. But it wears me out.
Christ came in simplicity. In humility. In quiet.
We’ve turned it into a conglomerate of commercialism and materialism.
I’m just as guilty as everyone else. But to be honest, if I could get my family to agree to a no present holiday, I’d be all over that.
Don’t get me wrong. I love the aspect of giving. What I don’t love is the stress of trying to figure out the perfect gift. And more than that, trying to figure out how I’m going to pay for it.
I have been informing our boys that Christmas will be smaller this year. There’s still tuition to pay. Tires that are needed for at least one vehicle. The prospect of travel next year and the relocation of the soon-to-be college graduate as he launches his career.
Still I know that inevitably we will get caught in the hustle and bustle, spend too much, eat too much, rush too much.
Then we’ll talk about making Christmas more simple. Next year.
I’m thinking I’d like to start now.
Let’s celebrate the joy of Christmas. The hope of Christmas. The music of Christmas.
Let’s work on that “Peace on Earth” thing. One house at a time.
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