If ever there was a need for a bright star of hope to shine down on us all, it’s now.
That seems to be the collective opinion this month as families across the Southcoast have been busily putting up Christmas lights and decorations for weeks now.
It’s like a switch flipped Nov. 1 and we jumped past Thanksgiving right into the Christmas season.
Drive along the streets and you’ll see homes already decked out in lights and holiday-themed inflatables. On some lawns, Thanksgiving turkeys keep company with Santa, Rudolph and Frosty in an odd merger of usually distinct holidays.
Indoors, Christmas trees are standing, garland is draped along mantles, and, in some homes, presents are already wrapped.
Surprising as it is, it’s not hard to figure out why there’s such a rush to embrace the season.
For those who celebrate Christmas, the holiday represents hope and reminds us of a happier, simpler time. It’s a celebration based on the story of a baby boy born to save the world from darkness — something we are all feeling in extra doses these days.
And maybe that’s perfect this year.
Maybe this unspoken collective action is the perfect antidote to a year of struggle and uncertainty and disease.
If you’re still on the fence about early Christmas festivities, try leaning into your feelings of nostalgia. We’ll start celebrating earlier and perhaps be just a little slower to take the lights down after the 25th has passed by.
But if that’s what it takes to lift the fogs of COVID-19 fatigue, then let’s do it. The world will be a little brighter for it.