Splendiferous Christmas

Isn’t life just splendiferous?” Melissa jumped from the picnic-table bench and whirled around and around on the grass.

(Four of us were enjoying lunch in the park.) “I love that word, splendiferous,” her friend Angelina said, laughing. “There’s a library book called Splendiferous Christmas!” Angelina also started whirling around and around. “Splendiferous and year-end celebrations do not go together,” Angelina’s mother sighed.

“It’s only September, but there’s so much to do, I have to start now. Then it’s February before everything is put away. It’s hectic and frenetic —oh my, I’m exhausted just thinking about it!” “Whatever do you do that you have to start now?” Melissa asked. “We put up our tree December 15. And we draw names, so we give and get one present each. Each of us gives a present to a less-fortunate person too.

Sometimes several of us go together and pack a big food basket for a needy family. That’s ‘splendiferous simplicity.’ And we aren’t exhausted. We love it!” Angelina’s mother looked at me questioningly. “The holidays have turned into a complicated commercial frenzy for many,” I said. “A couple of years ago, after reading Luke’s telling of the Mary and Martha story, our family decided ‘enough is enough.’ We still exchange gifts, but now we emphasize music, relationships with family and friends, eating a special dinner together, and helping the less fortunate. It’s been great. And, I might add, a relief.” “Yes,” said Melissa, quickly. “It’s really about celebrating God’s greatest gift to us —His Son. If people forget that, they tend to celebrate the gifts Saint Nicholas used to give instead. Which has gotten completely out of hand!” Melissa exclaimed, finding a way to insert another favorite phrase. “And splendiferous simplicity goes right out the window.” “Splendiferous simplicity,” Angelina’s mother mused. “I’ve been so wrapped up in preparations that I forgot about the Mary and Martha story. Mary chose what is better, didn’t she?” We nodded encouragingly. “I’m choosing that too. Starting now,” she said firmly.

Could you use some splendiferous simplicity? Choose what is better.

Starting now.

Arlene R. Taylor