The best parts of life found in the layers.
Layers everywhere we look…
Layering a big part of ‘dressing for the weather’: A vest for chilly beach walks, a cover-up for evening cold, the occasional winter coat – I’m in the process of getting reacquainted with my favorite cold weather gear.
A big part of food: 7-layer salads, lasagna, a brat with onions and mustard, the best desserts. A tasty bit hidden in every bite… who knew a caramel cake could have layers?
A big part of music, the breadth of styles staggering. I know what I like, and have learned to tolerate what I don’t. The wisdom – patience – of age?
And speaking of age, the layers, and trade-offs, of growing older: I wish I knew then what I’ve learned now. I wish my hips now were my hips then. As they say, Youth is wasted on the young! (Shakes fist angrily, but gently – it is Christmas after all).
A big part of relationships: Friends we call on, depending on how we’re feeling and what we need – even if it’s just nothing. Who can keep a secret, listen without boomeranging the conversation, or just be present. Just knowing they’re there when needed, a comfort.
A big part of family: If we’re lucky, there for us no matter what. Ready to hear our secrets – good and bad – or whatever we want to share. There in moments of crisis, or distress. A layer our family has lived in the past year.
A big part of God, no matter which one you believe in or pray to, everyone looking to their God for something different, but ultimately, comfort. Like that friend you know is always there.
A big part of holidays: Easter celebrating eternal life and rebirth, Memorial and Veterans Days our gratitude for those who have served or given their life, Thanksgiving with multiple layers of gratitude.
But Christmas the most layered holiday, commanding its own season.
The birth of Christ the ‘Reason for the Season’, but it has morphed into a multi-week – month? – celebration.
The commercial side, comprised of decorations, gift giving, Santa Claus visits, Christmas cards, The Grinch and Charlie Brown specials – the whole Christmas schmear.
All the traditions revisited annually.
It’s the complexity of Christmas that makes it our favorite.
All around the layers of humanity.
The easy and fun parts, reconnecting with friends and family, gift exchanges, the beautiful cards with their smiling family photos, the decorated houses so fun to drive-by, Christmas eve and morning! – as they say, the whole schmear.
And while you can’t build a church for Christmas – some of us watching remotely in a nearby room – the service a highlight of the season. When we reconsider the ultimate sacrifice, the gift of eternal life, united in fellowship and love.
The hard part? The layers of humanity we don’t like to think about, those down on their luck and in need. The Salvation Army and Goodwill donations a start, but “What have you done for them lately?”, a question we’ll be asked at our final reckoning, this the layer God most concerned about.
And not to close on a down, I’d be remiss before wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, to observe grief also with multiple layers, as we’ve learned this past year.
Anger, tears, resignation, denial, the frequent joy of remembrance – the entire gamut of emotions – but ultimately, acceptance.
Danny won’t be with us this Christmas – but he will be with us this Christmas.
Forever in our hearts.
Much like the joy of the season.
Merry Christmas!