The day after Halloween, Christmas lights appeared in our neighborhood. Cheery white bulbs illuminated green garlands around front doors. Indoor Christmas tree lights glowed from front windows. This beautiful—yet peculiar—early display of Christmas spirit occurred only from a few homes in our neighborhood, but still…it made me wonder. Why decorate for Christmas so early in 2020?
Why? I have a theory.
According to Proverbs 17:22 “A merry [cheerful] heart does good, like medicine…”
To me, this Proverb means we are greatly benefited by purposefully deciding to be joyful, focusing on the good, and taking a mental break from the worries of 2020. This type of mindset may not lead to physical healing, but chosen cheerfulness will definitely help us weather these uncertain months. It may even lead us to remember the blessings of past years as well as a few from this year.
So, while I may wait until after Thanksgiving to unveil my outdoor penguin inflatables, I applaud each person who chooses to be cheerful and merry right now. And if that mean you must turn your home into a chalet from Santa’s village while I still have pumpkins on my porch, I applaud you! Because your merry heart does us all good, like medicine.
Erin Lorence
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