Δαφνη Ευτυχια Αρθουρος

"December has often been marked by the flurry of getting more baking done, rushing to the mall before the sales end, and the looming Dec. 25 deadline-that's what Christmas can feel like: a shopping deadline. What if I don't have an equal number of presents? What if they sell out of that must-have toy? What if I run out of money before I finish buying for everyone on my list?

"For all our 'Jesus is the Reason for the Season' sentiments, we tend to do what we most value. Some years I think I must have most valued being busy. Doing the most. Social media only adds to that pressure to perform, and perform in picture-worthy ways. But suddenly that expectation has vanished. No one will expect proof of large, stylish gatherings this year. Quite the opposite.

[...]

"How we feel about canceled parties and limited travel will reveal a lot about what we value most. Some sorrow over not being able to carry out all of our traditions is natural. But rather than mourning your way through a disappointing December, why not use the opportunity it offers to take measure of what's most important to you?"

-- Candice Watters, 2020-11-27

[I imagine many more people planned Christmas gatherings this year than last, with vaccinations and all, but I also imagine it's fewer than in pre-pandemic years, and that some of the planned gatherings will get cancelled or scaled down in the face of recent surges in delta and the threat of omicron -- we're still mid-pandemic, we have not yet established a new normal nor gotten a really clear picture of what the new normal after this will be.]

'Tis the fourth Sunday of Advent; the first of the twelve days of Christmas draws near!