Christmas is less than a week away, and it’s all too easy to lose sight of the magic of the season amid all the hustle and bustle. I, for one, have been putting in extra hours crafting homemade gifts (and buying some, too), writing Christmas cards and making my favorite peanut butter cups to take along to Christmas parties. Despite all of that, though, I’m very much looking forward to the trek home to be with family.
As busy as it’s been, I’ve very much gotten into the holiday spirit this year. Christmas music has been playing through the house as I’ve wrapped each gift and packed candies and cookies into travel containers—but not to wish away the fun, I’m eagerly counting down the days to the big holiday gathering. As our family has “grown up,” we’ve scattered across the country, from California east South Carolina and Wisconsin south to Missouri, and Christmas is the one time of year we all manage to be in the same place at the same time. My family, whose number has grown as cousins have gotten married and had babies, migrate back to good old Ohio and pack into Grandpa’s tiny house for a warm and merry celebration. It’s always a little tight, but no one seems to mind as they revel in this time of togetherness.
You see, this close proximity to familiar bodies is nothing short of a blessing. Our family is intact, in good health, and grown enough to overfill my aunts’ and uncles’ childhood home. Lots of memories have been made inside those walls and, hopefully, will continue to be made. For me, this is where the true magic of the season lies—not in the gifts, no matter how heartfelt they are, or even in the delicious food that graces the table. No, the magic is found gathering and cozying up with the ones you love.
No matter where you are or how you celebrate the holidays, I wish for you the blessing of a household of friends and family. May you find joy and peace this season and always. Merry Christmas!
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