HOW DO WE LOVE THE WINTER HOLIDAYS? LET US COUNT THE LIGHTS

Photo by Kouji Tsuru on Unsplash

“Once in a while, when everything is just right, there is a moment of magic. People can live on moments of magic.” —Sarah Caldwell

Even though I was seeing them before Thanksgiving, I still enjoyed seeing the houses, businesses, and neighborhoods that had been decorated with vibrant holiday lights. This year’s display seemed especially plentiful considering the number of trees, mailboxes, and even bicycles that were covered with assortments of colorful, blinking, and twinkling lights. Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poem “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways” came to mind as I wondered: How do we love the winter holidays? Let us count the lights.

From candles to fireworks, we’ve been dispersing winter darkness with holiday lights since antiquity. Some of us continue to display them after the holidays until the days of longer sunlight return. Lights may seem gaudy if used in excessive amounts, but when artfully placed, it seems almost impossible to have too many.

THE MAGIC OF SHARED EXPERIENCES

Holiday lights can be enchanting. They evoke joy, vitality, and warmth and encourage cheerfulness and good humor in a dark time of year. We may feel a sense of deep human connection as we share in festivities and enjoyment with others—a sensation that can feel magical. Or we may even create magic ourselves when—like holiday lights—we shine and radiate warmth. Author Anna Thomas captures these magical moments when she writes:

“If there ever was a time for sentimentality and traditional merrymaking, one that has transcended religious orientation, Christmas must be that time. The effect seems salutary: even people who ordinarily are as colorful and gay as groundworms, who would dare not consider a flamboyant gesture, hang long strings of brightly colored lights around their houses, trim Christmas trees, and talk to strangers.”

Counting holiday lights may not be as stirring as counting ways of love, but I think that enjoying the lights and capturing the magic they create can make for a delightful holiday season.

Wishing you all the best for a bright and health-filled new year,

Joyce M. Young, MD MPH and colleagues at Advanced Wellness Systems

Photo by David Guerrero on Pexels