The secret of Christmas is that in our search for the great and the extraordinary, we are drown to the inconspicuous and the small. –Unknown
Chevy Chase’s iconic movie Christmas Vacation is a caricature of the so-called “perfect Christmas” many people dream of. The problem is, his image of the perfect Christmas is a myth. Chase portrays the main character Clark Griswold, a mid-level employee in a large food manufacturing corporation. Clark dreams of having the perfect Christmas with his wife Ellen (played by Beverly D’Angelo), their children, and their extended family. The Griswold’s house guests include Clark’s and Ellen’s aging parents, a senile stogie-smoking uncle, a dizzy aunt, and an uninvited lovable dimwit cousin named Eddie along with his wife and children.
The Griswold family Christmas becomes a long chain of catastrophes including a nearly fatal traffic encounter with two hicks in a pickup truck, a way too big Christmas tree, an elaborate Christmas light display on their house that won’t light, a destructive dog appropriately named Snots, Ellen’s irritating parents (a lush and a curmudgeon), a dead cat in the living room, a crazed squirrel in the house, an obnoxious couple of yuppie neighbors, and a botched Christmas dinner. The pièce de résistance occurs when Clark receives notice that his annual pay bonus has been canceled by the CEO of his company. The news drives poor Clark to deliver one of the most memorable, obscenity laden rants in Hollywood movie history.
Clark Griswold is a caricature of the stress, frustration and depression that sadly affects many during the Christmas season. Lots of people overload their lives during the this season—on top of their normal jobs and family/home responsibilities they add Christmas concerts, Hallmark Christmas movies, cookie baking, party going and hosting, gift shopping, gift wrapping, Christmas cards and letters, binge eating and drinking, and social media posts with staged photos depicting how much fun they’re having—not! Did you experience stress, frustration, depression—or a combination of all three—during the Christmas season this year? If so, maybe it’s time to consider how you might observe Christmas differently next year.
The holiday season is a perfect time to reflect on our blessings and seek ways to make life better for those around us. –Terry Mitchell
Maybe next Christmas can be a festival of slowing down, regrouping and recognizing what is really important in your life; a chance to experience peace, gratitude, and closeness with those you love, both friends and family. Christmas is a wonderful occasion for charity, contemplation, mindfulness and joy. It’s a time to look back on what was, appreciate what is, and look confidently towards the future. Next year give yourself the gift of peace for Christmas! Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, the light of the world, Jesus the Prince of Peace, was born of the Virgin Mary to restore mankind’s relationship with the Creator. I hope you will make him the Center of your Christmas season next year.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. –Luke 2:8-11
Check back next year for my next post. Have a blessed and prosperous New Year!
Peace on earth will come to stay, when we live Christmas every day. –Helen Steiner Rice
“Spirit of Christmas” performed by Ray Charles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaAdg_l38Cc
Divine Simplicity 
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