Happy Holidays from Perry Lodge

 

Thanksgiving is over and the turkey leftovers have been eaten or left to the garbage disposal. The time of anxious shopping and rushing around is upon us once again.

Christmas lights are everywhere. The occasional, and beautiful falling snow. Christmas music is playing in the stores and restaurants. The Salvation Army with their ringing bells and red kettles. Santa in the parade, the mall...and soon to be in your house. Hot cocoa and Christmas trees. It's truly a season of magic.

Those of us who are parents, especially of young children, love the look they get on their faces when they see Santa in the parade or at the mall, or the excitement they get on Christmas morning as they rush into the living room to find their presents  underneath the tree. You can see the light in their eyes as they tear the wrapping paper off the gifts just waiting to see what's inside. If you're a spouse, or have a partner, just watching him or her open that special, perfect gift that you actually spent the time to searching for makes your heart flutter. It kinda brings back that magic for you, even for just a moment, doesn't it?

As my wife and I stood on the sidewalk with my two children watching our town's parade last night, there was a fellow lodge brother across the street and another brother a little further down. Two Masonic lodges were represented in the parade along with various charities, organizations and businesses who exist to help people.

I mentioned the Salvation Army. I think they tend to be one that we are most familiar with come the holiday season.  Every year they donate money, clothing and food to needy people and families that have little to nothing.

Anyone that has worked in the medical field, or counseling, can tell you that for some people the holidays are the hardest parts of the year. Sometimes it's because a loved one died close to Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's. Or, it could be that it's just too lonely now since that loved one has passed away.  When you see the van from the local retirement home or nursing home drive through the parade and the people inside are smiling and waving, make sure you smile and wave back. This could be one of their favorite things to do.

All too often as human beings we find ourselves rushing through life, and through the year, from day to day paying bills and making money. And before long, that becomes our life. Then, once the holidays hit, it's hard to truly slow down and enjoy them so it just becomes a shift from one excuse to another. Instead it's a different rush. We're working overtime so we can buy more gifts. We don't have time to stop and say 'hi' while we're shopping because we  have too many gifts to buy and too many stores yet. And so the trend continues.

Wow! That took a quick turn from decorations to Sunday morning sermon.

So what's the point? Definitely not to ruin the idea of celebrating. The point is maybe consider adding onto your celebration. I know, 'Add more to my already busy schedule?' It's not much. I promise. If you don't already, drop some money into the red kettle the next time to walk into a store where you see one. Maybe consider caroling to some people who could use some Christmas cheer, or send out some cards or a letter to let someone know you are thinking about them. 

As we said earlier, the holidays can be very difficult for some people, especially for elderly people who either can't get out, or who have lost their spouse.

Believe me. I'm a full-time working husband, father and Mason. I also have multiple things that I do on the side. I understand what it means to get busy, distracted, rushed and, yes, sometimes frustrated - especially around the holidays. It's in times like this that I  have to slow myself down and realize that my family, and doing things for others, is what's most important. Easy right?

With Christmas just a couple weeks away, take some time to find something to do with your family - go to a holiday event, look for Christmas lights, go ice skating, go out for a family dinner.

Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is one of the best-selling classic novels, and now best-selling Christmas movies of all time. I think one of the best lines from that story that may apply here is the conversation between Scrooge and Jacob Marley.

Scrooge to Marley's Ghost: But you were always a good man of business.

Jacob Marley: Business? Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business. Charity, mercy, forbearance and benevolence all my business.

 Hopefully we never get caught in the trap of thinking that just because they aren't our children, or parents, or siblings that we should just ignore them and continue on our way. Every day Scrooge would pass those in need without even a care, or even a glance. The poorhouses, the prisons and the factories were for the poor. He refused to give in order to better their situation.

Giving isn't just acknowledged by money, although that is one way, yes. The true spirit of Christmas is the giving of one's time, a smile, a simple "how are you?", or a homemade pie. Not just in the week or two before Christmas, but all year long. And if you haven't watched A Christmas Carol I highly recommend you watch it, especially as a family movie night.

From Perry Lodge No. 185 in Salem, Ohio

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!