A Single Strand of Lights
We’ve had a lot of errands to run at night, around town and out into the empty. We’ve been looking at the Christmas lights. We have decided we have a lot of respect for the single strand of lights. It usually runs along a fence or sometimes an eave or around a window. It often looks a little tired.
But a street with single strands on nearly every house has more cheer about it than a street with one house lit to the nines.
I like a house lit to the nines. My own house is an elegant and tasteful blaze. Yet there is something affecting about that little strand of lights.
It is someone showing their devotion to a celebration and a standard even if that standard doesn’t make them look good.
It is the equivalent of what some sociologists call the decent poor. It is the nameless virtue (#namelessvirtue)
It is the Christ deciding to become a mortal, starting out as a baby.
Filed under: Deseret Review | Tags: Christmas, nameless virtue
John Mansfield
December 16, 2020
As I heard it expressed, anything worth doing is worth doing poorly.
E.C.
December 16, 2020
My dad has a quiet dislike of Christmas (not of the Christ child, but of the holiday, for reasons). We’ve never put up even a single strand of lights . . . outside.
Inside, though, Mom decks ALL the halls. Last year, we had five Christmas trees, all differently themed, our Christmas plates and dishtowels, three Nativities, three Advent calendars, wreaths and ribbons and . . .
This year, due to family in need, my parents are across the country helping out. Me and my youngest brother are keeping Christmas, but much more quietly. One tree, semi-decorated, one Nativity in the stable my grandfather made, and some plans for the traditional orange rolls and pasties as the Day Itself comes around.
Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly.