In Search of Holiday Spirit

In the deep recesses of my skeptical heart lives a tiny glimmer of holiday spirit that has not been destroyed by the relentless push to buy, buy, buy.

Chris' Handiwork

Last night, we watched a holiday movie on Hallmark. And yes, I say unashamedly, we got a little teary, as the movie reached its inevitably happy ending. Girl breaks off engagement with Mr. Wrong. Mr. Right is stopped before he boards the plane. The actor formerly known as Fonzie plays the uncle who knew it would happen this way all along. And the too-cute child actor comes to believe that Santa is real. Everyone goes to bed happy.

Today, my quest for the holiday spirit continued. The morning dawned cold and frosty, as Mr. and I hit the freeway and headed to the other side of town. He was dropped off at the library to amuse himself for two hours, while I attended a Christmas Tea, hosted by my coworker (Chris') Presbyterian church.

I went to the Tea several years ago and was happy once again to have been included in the fellowship of these women to celebrate the season.

After a delicious pot lock buffet style breakfast, we adjourned to the church where hymns were sung and bible passages read. The guest speaker was a woman who played the part of Jesus' grandmother in a captivating piece she entitled, "My Grandson Really Does Walk on Water." It was a thoughtful and entertaining take on Mary's conception, Joseph's understandingly hurt reaction, and the ultimate coming to terms by all concerned. It was intriguing to consider how the real-life scenario might have unfolded.

Walking out of the church with the other women, I felt blessed to have been included.

Maybe there is hope for my Christmas spirit, after all.