December, 2023
Ah, the holiday season! The Christmas cards and holiday displays that were already crowding the aisles of department stores and Dollar Stores before Halloween have finally (already!) appeared in stores and homes and public spaces at a time that feels more appropriate. Already the “Merry Christmas” vs. “Happy Holidays!” battles have begun online– and at certain political rallies. And, so, we get ready for the mixed blessings that the holidays bring.
Happy Times. I got news a few weeks ago that Hope Rochefort, the daughter of my college room-mate Dave, and whom I’ve known all her life, gave birth to baby Ike David in early November. And this week, I got the news that Mary Grayson, who I’ve known since she was thirteen, daughter of my friend Jennifer in Bowling Green, gave birth to her first child, daughter Adalynn Quincy, on Thanksgiving Day. These families are looking forward to a joyous first Christmas with infants– while Ike’s 20-month-old brother Ernie tries to adjust to a new baby in the house. Lots of excitement amidst the stresses of raising a family in these times.
Sad times. Several friends and acquaintances would prefer to avoid the holidays altogether– and some do. Sometimes, it’s because a beloved family member died on or close to Thanksgiving or Christmas. Sometimes, it’s because childhood memories of the holidays are anything but sweet.
And then, there are those of us in the middle. Recently, I saw a photo posted on Facebook of a family’s living room in the fifties or early sixties. The tinsel- and ornament-laden Christmas tree has pride of place in the center. A model train is running along the train tracks that have been set up to surround the tree, which has a felt cloth draped around its base. Presents in old-fashioned wrapping paper are piled into the space between the tree and the train track. Memories. I found myself half-thinking that Christmas must still be like that someplace, not just in my mind.
Christmas holidays of old centered around the dinner table. My mother, like so many mothers, had roasted a turkey. The table was laden with the side dishes– mashed potatoes, stuffing, and gravy; butternut squash, sweet potato casserole, buttered green beans, creamed onions, cranberry sauce– a scene familiar to many of us. And around that table was seated the family– mother (the last to sit), dad, brother John, sisters Mary and Donna, and always more than one guest. John’s girlfriend, my girlfriend, John’s friend Serge from Cuba with no family in the states, my friend Bruce, 1300 miles from his family in Florida. Some have passed away. Others we’ve lost track of. Happy holidays that exist in the memory while we do our best to make do with whatever other blessings life presents us these days. A poignant time, this mixture of pleasant memories tinged with regret.
Others of us are gathering for Hanukkah celebrations. Some emphasize the miracle of the lamp oil that lasted eight days as recorded in the Talmud. Others play the game of dreidel and eat latkes and sufganiyot. A time to gather with family, exchange small gifts, be grateful for the light in a dark season, especially this year, with worry over family or friends in Israel, with mixed feelings amidst another dark chapter in Middle East history.
Others will burn a Yule log in the family’s hearth to celebrate the emerging light as the winter solstice comes and passes. Others have Kwanzaa celebrations to look forward to. Here at UU Middleboro, we will honor all these traditions. We look forward to seeing you all on the five Sundays of December and many days in between. Whether you anticipate a holiday season full of joy or sorrow or bittersweet memories, your church community, your church family, will be here to offer company, refuge, retreat and celebration.
I’m grateful for you all. Happy Holidays!
Rev. Peter
