Article December 25, 2017 Issue

Christmas expectancy all year

Heidi K. Van Patten

The warm glow of multi-colored Christmas lights, in homes and neighborhoods, always fills me with a joyful expectancy of the good to come.

Christmas expectancy can mean different things to different people. While some may cherish the festive decorations and traditions related to family and faith, others may see Christmas as an overly busy, stressful time of year. Some may anticipate a letdown when the celebration is over, while some may be faced with loneliness or strained relationships and just want the holiday season to go by quickly. The list could go on.

In all cases, a more spiritual understanding of Christmas can outshine what we might consider the ups and downs of the holiday. And an expectancy of good can become a central part of our lives, in which we can embrace others—at Christmastime and throughout the year.

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