Growing Greenup
Anne Stephens
The Ashland Beacon
As we navigate through all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, do we take the time to enjoy it all? We have to remind ourselves why we are doing the things we are doing. Are we just going through the motions of holiday festivities or are we genuinely enjoying this wonderful time of year?
I am the first to admit that it is a busy time of year. Decorating, shopping, wrapping, cooking, traveling, partying, visiting, attending programs and concerts, eating too much, cleaning up. . . does any of this sound familiar? We do it all but do we truly enjoy it? I encourage you to keep your focus on why you are doing what you are doing and to be the person to help those around you focus on the joy of Christmas.
Christmas is a time of joy. Christmas is a time for thankfulness. Christmas is a time for family and togetherness. Christmas is a time for celebration because of the gift that was given to this world a long, long time ago. The city of Bethlehem was a hustling and bustling little town with crowds of people who were focused on a busy time of year. They didn’t realize what was going on around them or why that time of year was special. They didn’t know how the events of one certain night would impact the world as they knew it.
I challenge you to keep your focus on the importance of each activity of the season. With each event, we are making memories and sharing love with others. Sometimes we are so caught up in the details that we don’t see the big picture. It only takes a moment of focus to set our minds to keep a perspective that can impact our entire outlook. Someone has to be the one to do this for our families. Let it be you!
In teaching music and leading rehearsals, conductors do this all the time. We teach students how to focus on the details of the skills they have learned but also how to implement them with meaning and emotion so that the message of the music comes across to the audience. Performing correctly is important, but it is the feeling that is conveyed that makes a performance truly special. Communication is the key to a good musical performance. In like manner, communication is the key to a joyful holiday season.
Be that person in your own inner circle who is the anchor of joyous communication. Use something around you that is there for celebration to share a reason for the season. Complement the beauty of a Christmas tree, comment on the deliciousness of a cookie, tell someone they look extra beautiful in their holiday sweater, and invite someone to join you and your family for a meal or to attend a concert. There is power in in a smile and a kind word – use it!
When Edward Pola and George Wyle wrote their famous song in 1963, they didn’t know that Andy Williams would make it an enduring holiday classic, worldwide. It is a Christmas standard that has been recorded by countless artists and is sung by singers everywhere, each year. I’m sure you’ve heard it this year, but how closely did you listen to the lyrics? I believe that they paint a festive picture of the holiday season – enjoy:
It's the most wonderful time of the yearWith the kids jingle bellingAnd everyone telling you be of good cheerIt's the most wonderful time of the year
It's the hap-happiest season of allWith those holiday greetings and gay happy meetingsWhen friends come to callIt's the hap-happiest season of all
There'll be parties for hostingMarshmallows for toastingAnd caroling out in the snowThere'll be scary ghost storiesAnd tales of the glories ofChristmases long, long ago
It's the most wonderful time of the yearThere'll be much mist toeingAnd hearts will be glowingWhen loved ones are nearIt's the most wonderful time of the year
There'll be parties for hostingMarshmallows for toastingAnd caroling out in the snowThere'll be scary ghost storiesAnd tales of the glories ofChristmases long, long ago
It's the most wonderful time of the yearThere'll be much mist toeingAnd hearts will be glowingWhen loved ones are nearIt's the most wonderful timeYes, the most wonderful timeOh the most wonderful timeOh the most wonderful time of the year!
Again, I challenge you to be the person of focus in your family looking toward joyfulness. In all of your travels and activities, be the person to share a positive feeling of encouragement and gratefulness. After Christmas is over for 2024, let us be able to say that it has truly been the most wonderful time of the year!
For more information, contact Anne Stephens, Agent for Community Arts and Development in Greenup County. 606.836.0201 anne.stephens@uky.edu 35 Wurtland Avenue, Wurtland, KY 41144 The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education and employment and authorization to provide research, education information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. University of Kentucky, Kentucky State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Kentucky Counties, Cooperating.
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