Merry Merry: A Visual Essay

The fake tree isn’t decorated. In fact, one entire section of built-in- lights affixed to the artificial tree has burned out.  

The presents are not purchased.  The Christmas lists are not made for the family.  The elf is not hidden.  (Alianna did, finally, out of annoyance find it herself and start moving it around the house.)  The Amazon is not delivered.  The traditional Christmas Crack and Puppy Chow has not been made.  

The advent calendars haven’t been opened out of their plastic.  The stockings literally have not been hung by the chimney with care. 

 I can’t even seem to get the dishes done. The clutter on our kitchen table has reached levels never before seen in this natural world. 

The meal plan for the week obviously didn’t happen. We shall eat (oh we always eat), but the recipes will be courtesy of Newks, Chickfila, Arby’s, etc. 

Is it because I took a two week international jaunt that I feel so ill-equipped for being catapulted into this merriest of seasons?  An abrupt fast-forward into time? I still haven’t eaten pumpkin pie yet.  It can’t be time for all of this. 

Things holiday movies have taught me: It isn’t about the presents.  It isn’t about the glamor and shine.  It’s about. . . family? Love? Gratitude?  (And if it’s a Hallmark Christmas movie it’s about how I’m a career woman too busy for love that moves to a small town where a handsome young bachelor teaches me about the true spirit of the holiday. Thanks, this Twitter Post.) 

But in all of those movies there are definitely lights and trees and cooking and snow.  What happens if it’s not snowing and you forgot to turn on the carols and there is no fire crackling or lights to gaze at or sugar cookies to decorate?

Julie, it’s only December 5th.  Get a grip.

What if, for this holiday season, instead of taking pictures of our browned meats and meticulously decorated cookies and smiling offspring in red and green apparel we took pictures of the everyday? What if decided to tell the truth about the cluttered corners of our lives? What if we humbled ourselves in the way God did in sending Jesus to this place to highlight our flesh-on-earth-flawed-everything?

Happy Holidays, everyone.