Janiele Allman Children's Story Writer

What is your favorite holiday? Why is it your favorite?

Oh to sit after being out all day among the hustle and bustle. I love to come home and enjoy the twinkling lights. In the past, I would get extremely upset by the idea that we skip Thanksgiving and up goes the Christmas decor. The stores would have all of the hoopla done by November 1st. It would drive me insane. Christmas is my favorite holiday. It used to be so magical for me. I loved spending the Friday following Thanksgiving to unpack the decorations that have been collected over the years and/or passed down. It would be a delightful time to decide which color scheme or ornament theme would represent my devotion to Christmas. And when there was the after ‘Christmas sales’ on the 26th, I would gladly join the army of shoppers to purchase those items that were 50-75% off. My favorite thing to get was at Joann’s. They carried a selection of carolers that were analogous to the Byers collection. Personally, I thought the Joann’s collection had more character.

Now, I embrace the early nature of the commercialism of Christmas for before it’s the official date the stores are barren. The twinkling lights are almost all deserted for the red hearts of Valentines’ Day. There are no more after Christmas sales. They have all been purged by the commerce of commercialism. I’ve seen whole Christmas trees out for trash pickup completely decorated. And it made me realize, that those of us who buy an ornament to celebrate the year to passed down to your child/children are a minority and our idea to create memories have become an antiquated concept.

Oh to the twinkling lights, that stop the rush, help us reflect on how we can be better people. Oh to the twinkling lights that cause us to hush and listen to the songs of praise.

Oh to the twinkling lights when our spirits are crushed for the object of our desire is not received; however lost, I keep to the true meaning of Christ being born at just the right time.