Feels Like Christmas

Last year, on December 21, 2022, I started a post called Feels Like Christmas. I wrote it after we had gone into Brooklyn to see our friend Jason Loughlin and his band play at a bar called Skinny Dennis. He usually plays instrumental western but every year, just before Christmas, they cover The Venture Christmas Album. If you want a nice instrumental rock album to have on while you enjoy Christmas festivities, it’s a great one.

Part wanting to support our friend, part wanting to experience a little Christmas fun, we made the trek into Brooklyn. I don’t remember quite what I was feeling on the way in, but I’m sure the drive through the Lincoln Tunnel was anything but pleasant; on a Holiday weeknight with work the next day,  I doubt I was in a relaxed christmassy mood. Last year in particular I don’t think I was feeling it because this is what I wrote the next morning…

What makes something feel like Christmas? Because I’ve done it all. I’ve hung lights, decorated the tree, and made peppermint cupcakes. I’ve attended the company Christmas happy hour, gone to the church Christmas concert and sung Christmas carols. Yet I didn’t feel like it was Christmas until last night…

So what was it that made me finally feel like it was Christmas? At the end of the set they have a tradition of singing Silent Night. The band passed out some sheet music and about 50 strangers crammed into this tiny pub smiled and belted out the tune. I remember looking around and thinking, yes, this is Christmas.

When I found out we were going to do this, I was a little worried because this is the same tradition my church has every year at the end of their Christmas concert. It’s something I’ve done for the past 15 or so Christmases and it’s a part of the concert I honestly have always hated; it felt forced to me, awkward, and most people stood there like emotionless  statues. I was always uncomfortable and would just cringe until it ended.

Now don’t get me wrong, others love it, it just was never for me. So I found it strange that this same tradition, with some strangers in a bar, ended up being my favorite part of the holiday season last year. Maybe it was the beer that helped me loosen up, but I think mostly it was the fact that it happened after several hours of not just listening to music, but engaging with the people around me. We chatted with friends we haven’t seen in a while, learned about what was going on in their lives and celebrated wins. With some friends and many strangers, that little bar was filled with holiday spirit.

This Christmas season I hope you don’t worry about what you’re supposed to be doing. Don’t care about the list in your head that you probably feel like you need to check off - hang Christmas lights, buy presents, make cookies, etc. etc. etc. While there may be some things you are obligated to do, most of it you likely aren’t. It’s self imposed chaos from social pressure and it will never feel like Christmas when it feels forced.

Don’t hang lights because you have to; only do it if you want to. Don’t lose sight of the spirit of the holiday. Every opportunity you have this December try to sit back, relax, and take it all in.