S-N Editorial

There’s a good chance we’ll have a brown Christmas this year. That’s fitting, because 2020 has been one long brown streak after another.

Everyone could use a little holiday cheer right now. Some folks put up their Christmas lights and decorations earlier than normal hoping to spark some joy, while others have attempted to spread the spirit of the season in different ways. Hopefully everyone has been able to find some December magic regardless of the method.

This season is often hectic and stressful, what with the shopping, church events and other holiday obligations. The only silver lining to this year is that we’ve all been forced to slow down and evaluate our priorities. Take stock of the season and what makes it so special, because it’s not about the mountain of presents under your tree.

It’s also important to note that many families in the community are struggling right now due to circumstances beyond their control. The pandemic has eviscerated some industries, leading to reduced hours and inflated unemployment rates over the last nine months. Local food pantries and other outreach agencies have never been more important. If you’re able, consider donating to these programs in 2021. They need contributions year round, not just during the Christmas season. Who knows what the next 365 days have in store.

The arrival of Christmas and the end of the year always conjures reflection. We’ve been through a doozey – 2020 was like if you combined the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, Great Depression and civil unrest of the 1960s into one. Nonetheless, here we all are. Accordingly, it’s important to remember that more than 300,000 Americans aren’t. This pandemic has been simply devastating and we cannot fail to acknowledge those we’ve lost. If you’re family hasn’t been directly affected by this virus or every person you know who’s contracted it has fully recovered, consider yourself extremely lucky. There are going to be a lot of empty seats at dinner tables across this country on Friday.

We hope everyone has a Merry Christmas this weekend. Many folks are switching things up and trying to adhere to social distancing guidelines, which will shelve a lot of time-honored traditions. However, the spark of joy that makes this season so special is still there – it’s up to you to find it and cherish it.