Last year around this time I conducted a little social experiment. The holiday rush was in full-swing and I was struggling to feel the spirit of the season. I was feeling a spirit caused by the byproducts of the season, but they were on the wrong end of the spectrum. With all of the wonderful goodness that goes along with Christmas and the holiday season there is a fine line between “holly, jolly” and “bah humbug.” So, I decided to put Buddy the Elf’s theory to the test and I found that singing loudly for all to hear is, in fact, a most excellent way to spread Christmas cheer, particularly when you are doing so in the dairy aisle at the local Walmart.
During a recent meeting with my friends at the Jackson County United Way, we were discussing ways we could promote Giving Tuesday and jump-start the holiday season here in Seymour, Indiana. My mind immediately went back to last year at Walmart. If one person donning a Christmas sweater and singing Christmas carols in random locations could tip the balance away from “bah humbug” to “holly, jolly,” what could several people do if they made a concerted effort to spread some joy? WHAT IF THEY WERE IN FULL COSTUME?! If Santa and a crew of Christmas crazies made their way up and down the streets of downtown Seymour, what sort of holiday spirit would that inspire?
It is nearly impossible to maintain a bad day dressed up as a beloved Christmas character.
Last week, three other fine folks and myself set out to get an answer to our questions. We suited up and headed out for a morning on the town to spread some Christmas cheer. Emily Engelking dressed up as Jacsy (the mascot for our United Way), Stephanie Strothman dressed up as Jingles the Reindeer, I dressed up as jolly old Saint Nicholas, and Maci Baurle came along as our Christmas angel to document the experience with video and photographic evidence.
The holiday spirit began to spread immediately, starting with us. It is nearly impossible to maintain a bad day dressed up as a beloved Christmas character. As Jingles the Reindeer danced and clapped her way around the United Way office, expressing the joy in her spirit, smiles and laughter began to spread to those nearby. Her positivity passed on to Jacsy and Santa. People began peeking out office doors and down hallways in attempts to discover what was going on. The experiment was off to a good start.
We slowly made our way up N. Chestnut Street to some local businesses. We stopped at Tiemeier’s Jewelry, the Chamber of Commerce, Jackson County Bank, and Greemann’s Furniture. At each location we handed out candy canes, offered wishes of Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, and pranced up and down the aisles. Everywhere we went, spirits seemed to lift and smiles and laughter filled the air. What was of greatest interest to me, however, was what took place as we walked down the street. People came running out of their businesses to wish us Merry Christmas and take pictures with us. Drivers slowed their vehicles to wave, take pictures, or offer holiday greetings. The spirit was spreading like wildfire.
It turns out that joy is contagious. It not only spreads outwardly, but it grows in our own hearts. As we express joy externally it does seem to inspire joy in the hearts of others while taking root in our own. Christmas spirit spreads in all directions. Just like glitter, once it’s out of the package it’s everywhere and in everything, and as much as you may want to be annoyed, it’s hard not to smile.
We may not all dress up and walk around town, but we can all offer a warm smile, a friendly handshake, and a heartfelt Merry Christmas.
While Christmas spirit can’t alleviate all of the issues in the world, it can offer hope, a moment of peace, and maybe, just a little bit of joy. Hopefully, it reminds us of God’s gift of love for us in a manger and inspires each of us to give a little of ourselves to bring some joy into the world. We may not all dress up and walk around town, but we can all offer a warm smile, a friendly handshake, and a heartfelt Merry Christmas. It turns out that all it takes to spread Christmas cheer is deciding to share some. Perhaps, a simple demonstration of joy in the world can bring joy to the world.
Really enjoyed the post. I plan to try and spread that joy.