WREATH WRAITHS

 

Simple and clean green. 

I would call my friend’s home décor style minimalist, but I haven’t been to her new flat yet.  However, I know her to favor clean lines and uncluttered spaces.  I personally think it is because her brain is such a busy place she likes a change of scenery but I won’t say it out loud.  She is tidy, loves Christmas and starts to pray for snowfall in September shortly after school starts.  Like many, she pulled out the Christmas décor early this year in an effort to beat back the darkness of the times.  Her tree went up and strings of lights were strategically placed on shelves and plants.  The Christmas mugs were unwrapped and official permission to watch endless hallmark movies was granted.  Her little flat is ready for Christmas and has been since shortly after Remembrance Day.

Her front door sports an artificial wreath that she bought some years back at Michaels.  It was the bargain of the week for $8 and when she added a set of simple lights from Canadian Tire, she was more than pleased with herself.  Like many single mum’s, the thrill of a sale deepens the joy.  After she hung her wreath on the front door this year, she felt pleased it gave the hallway a festive yet elegant bump of holiday cheer.

Life in an apartment isn’t always easy and meeting neighbors can be difficult.  My girlfriend met hers in the summer by tracing a neighborhood cat back to the owner and ended up meeting the lady next door.  She met the husband as well and exchanged a smile and a wave here and there, until recently when the husband met the wreath.  My friend didn’t introduce her neighbor to the wreath directly you understand.  That would have been weird, but he did notice it when they encountered each other in the hall.  He wasn’t to be faulted for not understanding this wreath was an example of living faith.  Purchased for only $8 on sale at a time when money was tight, illuminated by fairy lights bought at Canadian tire, where you can knock tens of cents off the dollar if you hoard the Canadian Tire money they give you.  Neighbor man did not understand the fierce joy this wreath provided or else he wouldn’t have said it was “nice.”  He would have called it fabulous. 

However, my friend did not hold it against him.  She chatted, thanked him for the compliment and went on her way.  She didn’t think much more about it until Friday morning when she walked out her front door.  She walked out her door with confidence, knowing that when she closed her door she would see her simple, elegant wreath and would lock her door knowing that the wreath would be there to greet her when she returned: humble, unassuming and beautiful.

Imagine her surprise when she shut her door to lock it and found this…

Just wow.

Unbeknownst to my dear friend, her sweet, potentially inebriated neighbors decided to decorate her wreath in an attempt to bring her fully into the festive spirit they perceived her “nice” wreath lacked.  They turned fabulous wreath into fabulous-wreath-gets-decked-up-to-go-out-even-though-we-are-all-under-covid-restrictions-wreath.  It was amazing and so surprising and so not at all her style all she could do was blink. 

Blink and choose to be thankful and to enjoy the differences between them.  She called me with the story of wreath massacre/decorating and immediately sent me a picture.  I could only giggle.  In return for the terrorist wreath decorating, my friend was going to surprise her neighbors with hot chocolate bombs (don't know what those are?  Google it).  Such an unwanted, surprisingly lovely act  that lead to another act of kindness, was a welcome relief from the strife and the stress the pandemic has created between neighbors.

So many people are filtering their lives through layers of disappointment as financial instability, sickness, and isolation are part of the holiday trimmings this year. In truth, many people find holidays difficult, but the pandemic has created an unusual level of stress for many who have been affected.  I was reminded that grace and kindness will be more important than ever this season.  I am praying that I will be able to do these holidays well and with integrity.    To pretend the birth of Jesus erases suffering and pain is to miss the point of the season entirely.  We have been given a hope that one day, things will be made right.  For now, we are to watch and wait, to encourage and love our neighbors and enemies, as we travel the dark road toward the light at the end of this dark tunnel.

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. […] For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.  Isaiah 9:2, 6-7

xoxKaren