Anticipation is growing – Christmas is only 11 sleeps away.
Since the twins were little, “sleeps” have been a unit of measurement in our house as the girls anxiously awaited a trip or special event. Christmas was always such a holiday, where sleeps were counted down to that special day to gifts and merriment. Kids love Christmas.
For adults though, the pressures of the season can be heavy. Typically moms bear the brunt of the workload, insisting that Christmas be a gala event so family members can have a good time. As the days wind down, more than a few dads will be out last-minute shopping or taking as much work as they can to top off the extra expenses this time of year. It’s not easy raising a family, and likely it never has been, but the pressure to deliver this time of year seems more intense. More important than gifts is this special window of time people get to enjoy with one another.
Christmas means many things to many people. Some keep it more holy than others, focusing on the religious aspect of this season, rather than the commercial side. A letter writer attests to that point this week.
Grace is an important part of the Christian creed. Despite misgivings about the commercialization of Christmas and it being about Santa and the many other facets this holiday has taken on, grace is among us.
We’re thinking of those who find themselves more charitable this time of year. There are numerous stories in our publication about people helping others or donating time and money to organizations that make a difference in the lives of others.
Within this 11-sleep period, there is plenty of time to join food and toy drives. People can donate to charities as a gift in-kind. Some businesses have taken to that concept as well, skipping the complimentary baskets to customers in favour of a community gift to a charity.
We are also adding thanks for the volunteers who stage community parades. While the floats may not rival those found in New York City, the spirit and kind nature of those involved is to be admired and celebrated. Across the county and again last night in Rockwood, volunteers put on shows to captivate the young and young at heart.
Even in answering a letter querying the state of Santa’s float in the recent Fergus parade, local Lions demonstrated a sense of grace this week with the promise of trying harder next year.
Like many volunteer organizations, we recognize the same surnames year in and year out. It might have been as easy to respond with something cheeky or a blow it out your ear. People can’t buy the kind of class we see in local service groups. Their commitment to their community is humbling.
Make the most of the next few days and remember each sleep counts in service to others.
