Finding the Magic

This year has gotten me nostalgic so please try to bear with me. I’ve been thinking about the “Christmas Magic” that once existed for me as a child. My brother used to wake me up so early on Christmas morning so that we could stare at the tree (read: presents). Singing in the children’s choir on Christmas Eve. Later attending midnight mass and hearing the melodic and transcendent notes from the adult choir. Waiting and being in awe of snow. Enjoying the Christmas cookies my family and I had painstakingly created with such care and precision (well maybe not precision, we were kids after all) the week before. There was so much joy and magic. 

As an adult though I struggle to find it. The weeks before I am stressed and anxious about Christmas gifts. The snow, especially this year when in Chicago we’ve already had so much, makes me dread driving and parking in the city, especially as it lingers. Not to mention what is going on in our country and our world this year in particular, that is often not mentioned during Mass. And we arrive at Christmas Day and I’m exhausted from grading like mad the week before, from traveling in one of the most hectic times of year, from the heaviness of the world.  

I can no longer find “Magic” in those same things anymore. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t there, I just have to look a little bit harder. The magic is in a hug from my niece in her Christmas dress. Although we no longer make cookies as a family, the magic is sharing those same cookies with friends and coworkers during the season as an extension. The magic is rewatching “It’s a Wonderful Life” again for the millionth time. The magic is sharing what we can with those in need this holiday season. Sometimes, it has to be a choice and a challenge to continue to make or find the “Christmas Magic”. I hope you can find some “Christmas Magic” today and throughout our Christmas Season. Merry Christmas!

Today's Readings