True Believers

Fast away the old year passes the old familiar carol plays. The end of the year and the end of the holiday season is upon us. And despite the oft-repeated wish that the spirit of Christmas could be with us year round, many are only too glad to be done with the holidays and the demands they make on all of us. Their Christmas trees, shorn of all the trimmings, already line the curbs, awaiting disposal along with the regular trash. Their once brightly-lit homes now sit in cold and silent darkness, the twinkling arrays of red, green, gold, and blue lights muted in gloomy surrender to chill, dark winter nights and cold, bleak days ahead. Christmas is once more packed away into boxes in attics and basements where it will not intrude as we resume the lives we set aside to celebrate the season. 

Our house will soon cast aside its festive garb and join the somber ranks of those before us. We wait the full twelve days of Christmas before dimming the lights, taking down the tree, and putting away the decorations. Although we might be tempted to delay the inevitable, custom and social mores demand that we not go beyond what is acceptable. There are those who take offense at holiday displays that linger beyond the sixth of January. Although you could safely display a 1986 Bears Super Bowl pennant or wear a Bulls or Blackhawks championship jersey forever, God forbid you should leave your Christmas lights on after the Feast of the Magi. 

But it always gives my spirit a lift when I see that occasional home still lit in late January or early February. I think of those few stalwarts as the true believers, the ones who still carry Christmas in their hearts, who cling to the season's promise of hope and joy, the ones who still hear the bell ring long after it has gone silent for the rest of us. 

I hope that all of you had a wonderful Christmas and I wish the best for you and yours in the coming year.