Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is here. It's almost Christmas, and there’s magic in the air. Just ask Alabama’s Thistle Hair the Christmas Bear.

It’s been a while since I wrote a Christmas Eve post. Life and family and the pandemic seem to have taken the time. But, this year, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. No, it is not a train coming towards us. It’s the Christmas Star shining brighter than ever. Bill Murray in Scrooged saw it and said, It's a.. miracle. It's really a sort of a miracle. Because it happens every Christmas Eve. It’s a time for families and friends to gather. There's magic in the air.

Over the years, Beatrice and I have collected (too) many Christmas movies. Some are classics like It’s A Wonderful Life and White Christmas. Others are more modern ones like The Holiday or Love Actually. And, some are little known ones like Mixed Nuts or Rupert The Great.  Every one has a basic message that Christmas is magic. All you have to do is BELIEVE. The kids on the Polar Express learned it, the main character in all of the many versions of A Christmas Carol learned it. And, even that most famous Christmas hater of all, The Grinch, learned it.

Have you learned it? Do you BELIEVE?

One of my favorite lines from The Grinch That Stole Christmas is (and I quote) It came without ribbons, it came without tags. It came without packages, boxes, or bags. Maybe Christmas (he thought) doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more as his heart grew three sizes. 

Have you learned it?  Do you BELIEVE? It’s not too late.

Even old Ebenezer declares, I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach.

Have you learned it? Do you BELIEVE? It’s not too late. 

The character of Frank Cross in the film, Scrooged reminds us It's Christmas Eve! It's the one night of the year when we all act a little nicer, we smile a little easier, we cheer a little more. For a couple of hours out of the whole year, we are the people that we always hoped we would be. And it can happen tonight for all of you! If you believe in this spirit thing, the miracle will happen and then you'll want it to happen again tomorrow. It's a miracle. Because it happens every Christmas Eve.

Have you learned it? Do you BELIEVE? It’s not too late.

But Lou Lou Who, Postmaster of Whoville, said it the best, I don’t need anything more for Christmas than this right here, My family.

I learned long ago. I still believe. Do you?

Gotta go now. I think I hear a clatter up on the roof. 

Merry Christmas to all. And, to all a good night.

Grenville