C
hristmas morning affords a direct link between us and our earliest human ancestors, across too many years to count, stretching back to before recorded history, to the very beginnings of the human epoch. And back to those ancestors' most significant discovery: perpetual, renewable hope.
I remember one Christmas morning
A winter's light and a distant choir
And the peal of a bell and that Christmas tree smell
And their eyes full of tinsel and fire I Believe in Father Christmas, Greg Lake, 1975
Christmas morning signifies salvation from our imperfect past, a second chance, a new beginning, another kick at the cat, three more at-bats, a promise that the sun really will come out tomorrow (and stay out a little longer each day thereafter, for a little while anyway).
That is why Mass on Christmas Morning is more satisfying than Christmas Eve. But it needs to be early morning, before the sun is high in the heavens. While the promise of the dawn can still be seen clearly in the brightening sky.
June and I rise earlier now than we used to, before there's even light in the sky or much to do. A peculiar habit you acquire in old age, when you finally don't need it. Today, after the previous night's excitement, we lingered until 7 am. Still, the stockings had already been hung by the chimney with care, so there wasn't much else to do anyway but go to church.
For the first time in days there was sunlight in the sky. But the excitement wasn't quite as profound as it might have been. My frame of reference for my earliest ancestors at Christmas calls to mind a climate cooler than, say, Southern California. On our way back from church it was almost 70o outside.
This year's Christmas Song Selection
"Father Christmas"
Some political incorrectness this year coupled with a bracing message on social justice. By The Kinks, British rockers who played a big role in British R&B music. They were briefly part of the "British Invasion" until a U.S. touring ban in 1965. Their 1964 release, You Really Got Me, featuring a gritty, hard-driving guitar line, was a pioneering contributor to the hard rock and heavy metal school. Father Christmas was released as a single in 1977. Didn't chart, but it's hung around. So did The Kinks, until 1996.
Back at the house, opening presents with several drinks under our belts, and the air conditioning on high, the proper mood inevitably began to take hold. Although we forewent lighting the fireplace. And still had to change into t-shirts and shorts before sitting down to brunch.
Now all that is behind us, and everyone has retreated to a bed or a couch for a mid-winter nap. Dad is going to watch the showing of the Magoo Christmas Carol he taped Christmas Eve. (Remains unwatched; fell asleep.). And then go to work on getting the turkey in the oven. This year with oyster dressing (only for dad; no one else will touch that stuff.) After that, while dinner roasts, a sunset run, perhaps, if JJ shames him into it. (He did.)
And then? Why what else but Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night! Eat, sleep and be merry y'all.
Slowest start since the Christmas Spirit Index recordkeeping began (2010). But it's climbing now. Gallup says people plan to spend more on Christmas gifts this year than any year since 2007.
12/15/15:
Sammy spent last week substituting at a bunch of middle schools, where he introduced students to the Christmas Spirit Index. It's just like the 25% of Republican poll responders who vote "Donald" no matter what he says. Twelve days before Christmas every day is "Joy to the World" to sixth graders, no matter what kind of day they're having. A correction would seem in order, soon as school lets out.
12/20/15:
Looks like the stock market (also in the doldrums lately). The bulls have left the field, and what voting pressure there is seems mildly pessimestic. But the market tends to rise at year-end (for a blizzard of technical reasons that owe more to drinking and partying than to sound financial planning, and the closer Christmas gets, the better most people start feeling. Expect a small rally, unless of course everyone is too busy making merry to vote.
