In this season,
may you discover your own meaning.

May you not be sucked in
by the expectations of others.
May it be (or not be)
whatever it is (or is not) for you.

Be silly, be joyful
be withdrawn, be morose,
be spiritual, be religious.
Let it be what it ought to be,
and be at peace with that.

There's nothing wrong with you
if you're not ho-ho-ho-ful.
And there's nothing wrong with you
if you are.

May you avoid the temptation
to snow on others' parades,
or to drag them into cheer.

Go ahead–
identify with Mary's labor pains
or with the raucous cacophony
of shepherd-wowing angels–
it's your holiday;
experience it as you will.

Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.