What Hasn’t Changed About Christmas in 2021

As we prepare for this Christmas of 2021, no one would argue that the world has lost a great deal over the nearly two years of the coronavirus pandemic. We have lost not only people we know and love, but certainly our overall sense of safety and security as well, which is most apparent when we are forced to think about risks posed by getting together with those we love.

This is no small thing, and it will mark forever a generation of people who have lived through the last year and a half.

Unlike last year, before the vast majority of us even had an opportunity to receive the vaccines to combat the coronavirus, the threat of contagion kept many from being able to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve together at all with anyone outside our immediate families.

Some favorite traditions that are the most important part of Christmas for many

Last year, the traditions that we have treasured for a lifetime were mostly shunted aside in fear that we ourselves might become sick — or worse yet, that we could infect one of our older loved ones.

We have lost perhaps our sense of overall safety and the unthinking way we used to go about doing things, taking our precious health for granted, and now we need to take all the prudent precautions we can to make ourselves as healthy as possible.

This year, despite suffering another extremely year of the pandemic, especially after its Delta variant made the rounds of the globe, there is much to be grateful for, however, and we can finally partake in — albeit carefully — many of the rituals and get-togethers that we look forward to all year long.

One of those would be ice skating, the thrilling sport that makes us feel as if we’re flying. If you’re lucky enough to have natural ice, like they do in Ottawa, Canada, above, good for you! If you’re like most of us, however, you can always skate at an outdoor rink – even in Athens!

Many things we have always looked forward to at Christmastime haven’t changed at all. And those are what we should be focusing on as we near another Christmas.

Looking at lights, including drive-through light shows in neighborhoods, which are sometimes set to music that you can play on your car stereo, are such a fun thing to do for the young and the old alike. Why not pack up some Christmas cookies and hot chocolate and drive through the streets in your area that are the best known for their displays?

Nothing beats a leisurely walk through neighborhoods that are all lit up and decorated for the holidays, though, so get out of your car whenever you can and partake of the atmosphere as you stroll along of an evening.

Naturally, the beloved annual outdoor Nativity scenes are not affected by the pandemic either, with many churches still planning to have their usual scenes with live animals and children playing all the parts. Nothing could be sweeter, and it is all outdoors, keeping everyone safe.

And we, no matter our age, can still stage snowball fights and build snowmen… the sky is the limit for those fortunate enough to have enough snow to sculpt these denizens of Winter (or for those in Florida, to sculpt their own snowmen made of sand.)

And don’t forget — outdoors is the perfect place to be, even for getting together with the family while eating that yummy Christmas dinner and other goodies, as well as imbibing a hot toddy or two. Just fire up that outdoor fireplace on the deck and gather around it… you can even enclose your pergola or other outside space to make it more cozy so you can enjoy the day together in safety.

Communal Christmas tree lightings are going on all over the world now; they are another important ritual in our annual celebration of Christmas, and they couldn’t be any safer. And don’t forget listening to and watching livestreams of your favorite choir as they regale us with Christmas song. Just snuggle at home with your loved ones and enjoy the beautiful holiday music that is so lovingly presented by these talented people all over the world.

 

And skiing is one of the safest things anyone could partake in these days… If you’re fortunate enough to live in a place with plenty of snow on the slopes over the holidays, get out there and enjoy all that Mother Nature has to offer. Santa costumes are optional.

This most special of holidays is no time to dwell on what we have lost in the pandemic — but there is plenty of time to get out there and make this a memorable Christmas, maybe one of the best ever, as we get outdoors and enjoy all that we possibly can.

And most importantly, let’s remember the reason for the season and live out Christ’s message of loving our neighbor and goodwill toward others at this most special time of year.