A holiday message from The Gazette editorial board: Seek peace at Christmas

Last Christmas, we hoped next Christmas would be the first one post-pandemic. Vaccines were on the way and we saw light at the end of the dark tunnel that was 2020.

But it turned out that light was a freight train carrying COVID-19 variants. First came delta. Then came omicron, a highly contagious version currently spreading fast across the nation. Toss the continuing pandemic in with our deep political divisions, worries about the future of our democracy, supply chain tangles and rising inflation and “Bah humbug!” hardly seems a strong enough exclamation.

Still, we hope many of us can find some peace this Christmas Day. It should be a welcome island of respite amid the torrents tearing us apart.

The good news is we have vaccines that work, allowing us to gather with small groups of vaccinated loved ones if we take precautions, unlike 2020. Even with omicron cases rising, fully vaccinated people are unlikely to become severely ill.

Put down your phones. The Twitter fights and Facebook disinformation will, sadly, still be there when you get back.

Relish the excitement of children and grandchildren

Make a special meal. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Yes, prices have risen, but it’s the act of gathering with loved ones at that table that’s truly priceless. Skip that overheated side dish of political debates.

Listen to Christmas music. OK, you might be tired of it by now. But it really does sound better on Christmas Day. Or find a good Christmas movie or two. That one about the kid begging for a Red Ryder BB gun will be on all day. Just don’t shot your eye out.

Grab a deck of cards or a board game. Fill up on cookies and fudge or whatever you like. We’ve heard calories consumed on Christmas don’t count. Or binge on all the basketball and football games scheduled for Christmas Day.

Get outside. We know there will be no snow, but above-average temperatures could give us all a chance to get out and take a deep breath.

So maybe you’re Christmas doesn’t turn out to be perfect. If so, stop to consider all of the people facing heartbreaking struggles and who are having a far-less-than-merry Christmas. Count your blessings, and endeavor to see what you can do to provide more comfort and joy in your community in the New Year.

So merry Christmas. And here’s to hoping for a better New Year.