December 23rd

The best day of the year, for me anyway, is December 23rd.

I’m obsessed with Christmas.  It’s no secret.  But there’s a deeply tragic and painful feeling that comes with every Christmas: It must eventually end.  You know the feeling: That moment when the clock strikes midnight and it’s suddenly December 26th … the day after Christmas … Boxing Day.  The gifts are turned into piles of wrapping paper.  The beautiful Christmas decorations transform into the chore of taking them down.  The wonderful abundance of snow turns into … an annoying abundance of snow.  Christmas Day is a tricky day because it’s never long enough.  It always ends eventually.

Christmas Eve is a little better but since it’s tied so closely to Christmas Day, it suffers the same fate.  You know that Christmas Eve will lead to Christmas Day which will eventually end, and land you into a deep pit of depression.  (Ya, hyperbole!)

I submit that December 23rd is the best day of the year.

It’s ALL build-up.  The peak of anticipation.  The climactic moment of the Christmas season before diving into those 2 final days.  December 23rd is the second last bite of chocolate mousse cheesecake – the one you can thoroughly enjoy because you know there’s still one bite left!

It’s still totally legit to shop on December 23rd.  Santa Claus is still at the mall on December 23rd.  Everything related to Christmas is in full red-and-green, in-your-face, brightly shining glory and not showing any weakness.  On December 23rd, unless you’re Scrooge, the thought of Christmas ending is nowhere near your brain.  The only thing in my brain on Christmas 23rd is how CLOSE Christmas is.  And basking in that sublime expectation is not only allowed but expected.

Since I always love spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with family, December 23rd is the opportune day to celebrate Christmas with my friends.

And now that I’m home from Nashville, this is something I’m really looking forward to doing.  Possibly going to the mall without the intention of shopping.  Or checking out an incredible Christmas lights display.  Or curling up to watch It’s a Wonderful Life.

It could be said that December 23rd is the unsung hero of the Christmas season.  How are you going to spend it?

–

francy