The Virus that Stole Christmas
It’s another gray December day. I’ve been walking for about an hour and my legs and back are starting to bother me. I’ve been walking too much lately and I’m not a young man anymore. Who am I kidding? Not a young man indeed. Let’s spare the euphemisms and tell it like it is – I’m an old coot for sure. I’m lucky to be walking at all.
But old coot or not I still walk four to five miles a day – and sometimes I pay for it with aches and pains that I drown with ibuprofen and Tylenol. I’ll say Tylenol because it’s hard to spell acetaminophen or paracetamol as it’s called in most of the rest of the world.
Anyway, I sit down on a bench to rest my aching legs, and a gentle snow begins to fall, and it begins to look a bit like Christmas.
Being an old coot, I can tell you I’ve never seen anything like the year 2020. It’s been a zinger from beginning to end. Not only because of the pandemic which has been going on since ins late February… but I’ve never seen people so divided and so angry.
Some people say Covid-19 is just another cold or flu while others are sure it’s a threat to their families and loved ones – and some even fear it will kill them.
Being an old coot with several – and I hate this word – “comorbidities”, you can put me in the cautious group. It’s not that I think Covid will kill me -but who wants to get sick and spend a week or two feeling horrible? So, I’m not an anti-masker. I masked up when I go into a store. And I avoid large groups of people – I even avoid small groups of people.
I know some think wearing a mask is an infringement upon their freedoms but then again so are speed limits, stop signs, seat belts, school zones, and the like. I don’t think it’s my right to spread my germs to others or have them spread them to me. Masks help prevent me from infecting you and you from infecting me. It doesn’t make me anyone’s pawn. It makes me a smart and hopefully a healthier old coot.
It’s not a political issue with me. If putting a piece of cloth over my nose and mouth protects you and protects me as well – then I’m going to do it. How simple is that?
Sadly, beyond the political and civil unrest all around – I’ve never seen so much hate in the world. This hatred was not caused by the virus, the virus just brought it to light. Some crazy loons are spewing all sorts of conspiracy theories and hate on social media. And if we – you and me – allow it, the virus and the hate will steal our Christmas.
We can’t and we don’t let the pandemic or hate to steal our Christmas.
I’m not going to be able to gather with my friends and family this year as I would like to, but I will still see my family members – although not all of us together at the same time. Maybe you will be doing things differently this year too.
Christmas is more than the sum of Christmas parties, gift-giving, and family celebrations. Christmas is the time we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace. And I bet He’s looking down upon our pandemic-stricken world from which so much hatred and division has arisen…well, I imagine He’s not very happy with us.
Don’t let the virus steal your Christmas. Don’t let the virus turn you against those who don’t agree with you. Christmas is a time for forgiving, forbearance, charity, and most of all love.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, love is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things…. So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians Chapter 13
This crazy year is coming to an end and we should all have great hope that next year will bring an end to the pandemic. But I hope for more than that. I hope it brings an end to the hatred and craziness that have consumed our world.
We shouldn’t have to be reminded that no matter how much we disagree with others that we have much more in common than we think. We should all tolerate and accept our differences while understanding we all have so much in common.
“So, let us not be blind to our differences–but let us also direct attention to our common interests and to the means by which those differences can be resolved. And if we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal.” ― John F. Kennedy
The pandemic is still ravishing my country and most likely yours. But we should never allow this pandemic or any virus or any differences we may have to steal our Christmas. Christmas means different things to different people. But the Spirit of Christmas that guides us all is love.
The virus is not going to steal my Christmas; I will not let it. I won’t let the pandemic take the Spirit of Christmas from my heart. I hope you won’t let the virus steal Christmas or take the Spirit of Christmas from your heart.
This Christmas love each other, and you’ll be giving the greatest gift of all.
The Virus Hates Christmas
This virus hates Christmas, nobody can doubt.
It’s all over the place, both inside and out.
While the Christmas lights shine, and the snowflakes still fall
Not much else this Christmas seems like Christmas at all.
Some people are doubters the say it’s a cold
Others are scared and believe what they’re told
But one thing is certain, lots of people are sick
Hopefully one of them is not old St. Nick.
But Santa’s still working, they say he’s immune
And we hope he can brighten the quarantine gloom.
Instead of cookies, it might just be wiser
To leave Santa a bottle of good hand sanitizer.
The virus will try to steal the joy from the season,
But we can’t let that happen and for a good reason.
I’m sure if we all still truly believe
The blessings of Christmas we’ll all still receive.
Merry Christmas!
MERRY CHRISTMAS T.C., DARCY AND YOUR FAMILIES.
I agree with everything you said. Merry Christmas to you. We are fortunate in Australia in that the virus is pretty well controlled although I am staying at home as much as possible. Being ancient I’m not taking any chances! We don’t have as much hate here as you do in America or in other countries. We are the lucky country. I hope and pray that the Americans who are rioting will see sense and understand that if they don’t follow safe practices that they will catch the virus and will probably die. Stay safe and may God protect you. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.
Love this essay and the poem — Merry Christmas!
GREAT ESSAY . Lots to think about. Wonder what the Prince of Peace thinks of our world? Thanks for writing this.
Merry Christmas.
Christmas will still continue no matter what happens on earth. Jesus loves all of us no matter what or who we are.
I am not religious but still a beautiful essay and poem.
I find these comments so true although, we in Australia are at the moment on top of the virus .
It is summer time here so we will have to wait and see.
You are blessed with a special ability to express your thoughts so eloquently.
I will save this essay along with last year’s Seven Candles.
Nope, the virus is not going to steal my Christmas!! Thank you TC for sharing this and the poem! Jesus is the reason for the season and I hold true to that fact….all this has been predicted many, many years ago and if anyone doubts it then let them read the Bible, the truth is in it. As for being an old coot I am in my mid 70s now and remember the time when things were much simpler and masking up was set aside for halloween or masquerade dances and considered as fun; not anymore. It has become important to survive making the hatred rampant which has contributed to increase crime and violence. I don’t know about anyone else but I wait patiently for Christ’s return and in the meantime am learning to survive in the world today and if masking up to protect myself and others, then that is what I do. God bless you TC and Darcy and I pray you and yours have a very Merry Christmas and that 2021 is a better year for everyone!
Thank you, Vicki. TC’s essay is right on and your reply is just what I would have liked to reply but you accomplished it so much better.
Merry Christmas and the Lord bless you, Darcy, TC and every one .
Enjoyed the essay and poem. Think everyone will be glad to see the back of 2020. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, TC and Darcy
Lee UK
So very, very well stated. Thank you so much for this article from you to us, your Cloud Eight friends & fans! It is so appreciated! We benefit from it, to say the least.
You sweet poem…also beautiful! I would like to read it at our family Christmas gathering, where we’ll be wearing our masks – (everyone, I hope). I certainly agree with your perspective regarding the masks.
I’ve subscribed to your “computer lessons” for about 15 yrs. by now & have learned almost 100% of what I know from you two.
I’d recommend you any day….I’ve tried to share your website on FB but haven’t succeeded. I’ve also tried to make your PAGE my home page, mostly so I can play the free games you offer. I haven’t been able to finish that task, either. I must be missing some step along the way, I guess.
Thank you again, over & over. Have a wonderfully Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year/2021…!!
Love in Friendship,
Joan
You are very good at writing, you should put them all into a book, copyright them, & sell it.
The virus is not stealing the Christmas spirit here!
Merry Christmas to both you & Darcy & your families!
I loved your poem. Never have truer words been spoken…..so much anger and division, and I don’t want to get any of that on me anymore than I want covid on me! I’m trying to remember every single day to do something nice for a stranger, just to see the smile in the eyes of that person. The nice thing about masks is you can see when a smile is sincere cuz it really does reach the eyes. Merry Christmas to you both and to all the members of Cloudeight. Keep that Love Light shining! 💖💖💖
Don’t tell me you’re an “ol coot”…in my mind, you both are forever young….so I wish.
You both are the best “thing” that has happened to our computer world. God bless you
for all you’ve done for us over these many years of service. You deserve every penny you make.
May our good Lord bless you and grant you a joyful Christmas and a healthy New Year.
Dear Darcy & TC
From the bottom of the South Island of New Zealand I send you warm greetings with love and thankfulness to you both for all your wonderful help over the years. Like everyone else, I have learnt so much from you and know I can trust everything you tell me.
Like you TC, I am an old coot living in a retirement village, but I am so grateful for that, as the care and attention we have received because of the pandemic has been outstanding – truly the Spirit of Christmas and my prayer for you both is that you will also experience that same Peace and Joy with your families. God Bless you both.
Rona Crosbie
Right on! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you!
I am not a religious person but I do agree with your sentiments. Here in Scotland we are having problems with the second wave of the virus but thankfully the first lot of vaccines started to be rolled out this week, which is good news. Certainly it’s not going to be over with tomorrow, or next month, but hopefully by next summer the world will be in a better place than it is just now. Like you I am an older person and I have worn a mask since this started here away back in Feb/March. I did it because I thought it wise to do so, but shortly after I started wearing one the Scottish Government ruled that everyone who was not a child had to wear a mask in shops, public places and public transport. I don’t see it as a assault on my civil liberties I simply see it as a necessary step to protect everyone. End of story. Best wishes to everyone and a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to all of you.
Christmas is my time of year. It is the Birth of Our Saviour. I could not have written the Christmas Story as well as you. Everything you wrote is so true. I will not let this mess we are in ruin my Christmas. I have never hated anyone in my life. I believe in forgiving.
Thank you for being you. May you TC and Darcy have a Blessed Christmas.
Merry Christmas, love the poem.
Merry Christmas!
Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday’s…D.
As ‘Melody above said’, “The nice thing about masks is you can see when a smile is sincere cuz it really does reach the eyes.” Very true, I have noticed that also ;=)…D.
Merry Christmas to all of you and loved your essay and poem.