The Most Wonderful Time
As a connoisseur of time, I’ve traveled the world in search of the very finest of times. In Japan I made good time, in Spain I enjoyed quality time, and in England I had the best of times. There are so many types of time, and each time I find a new time, I find a new way to experience the world. In Berlin I flirted with the big time, in Paris I found lost time, and in Rome I floated on the tides of time. Back in the States, the New York minute kept me on double time while the Texas heat rolled me into half time. I’ve lived on island time, borrowed time, and hard time. I’ve followed the arrow of time, felt the hands of time, and even had to kill time. But, looking back on it all, I have to say that my most favorite of times is still Christmas time.
For our family, Christmas time begins with the ringing of a small, silver bell we keep safe in an old wooden cabinet built by my grandfather. It’s as if the bell’s jingle infuses time itself with the magic of family, friends, and good cheer. Sweets taste sweeter, fireplaces burn warmer, and laughter comes easier. The long, dark winter days somehow seem brighter, and even the dim December sunlight gains a kind of languid grace. I find that it’s a relaxed time, a time of goals deferred, a time to live slow and cherish the people around you. During Christmas, time is measured not by the ticks of a clock, but by the breath of love we give.
It’s the giving that’s important because the magic of Christmas time comes from sharing it. They say that time is more precious than money, and once it’s spent, it’s gone, but Christmas time is different. You create more by sharing. I guess, in a way, it is the ultimate time share. Consider the story of Saint Nicholas back in the fourth century when he was simply a priest overseeing a small parish in Southern Greece. His congregation included a young, poor couple who were deeply in love, but didn’t have the money to pay the marriage tithes required by the local lord. The boy was a simple farmhand, and the girl was an orphan who lived with a cruel woman and her two daughters. Saddened by their plight, Nicholas took money from the church coffers and secretly gave it to the boy. Elated by the anonymous gift, the couple planned to marry, but before they could make the arrangements, the church discovered that money was missing and imprisoned the priest. When the lovers learned of his duress, they used the money to instead pay the tribunal and free Nicholas.
This is typical of Christmas time. The magic doesn’t necessarily result in profit for anyone, but rather it enriches our lives by deepening the connections between us, bringing us closer, and elevating our care for each other. Like Nicholas and the young couple, we often make great sacrifices to cherish each other in ways that avalanche through our lives and spread across the world. Our outward situation may not change, but the happiness we feel from being loved makes all the difference. It’s miraculous and unique. None of the other types of time have the same effect as Christmas time, and none of the others inspire a joy that warms the coldest night. It truly is the most wonderful time, and my Christmas wish is that you all find silver bells to ring in that time for you and your family throughout the year.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.