“The wise man seeks little joys, knowing that life is long and that his quota of great joys in distinctly limited.” – William Feather

If you know me at all or have seen any of my blog or social media posts lately, you know that I’m in love with fall and its glorious colors.

My phone is filled with a kaleidoscope of leaves and Finnegan photos. I never get tired of it.

But lately I’ve been noticing a different kind of color making its way into the landscape when I’m out and about: Christmas lights.

So many people get so bent out of shape about premature Christmas celebrations. Boooo, Christmas music…Boooo, holiday lights…Boooo, it’s too soon…Booo, give Thanksgiving its due.

But is it too soon? No, I don’t believe so.

My mindset on the matter might be slightly unpopular: I’m not a Christmas purist.

The way I see it, if listening to Nat King Cole croon about chestnuts roasting on an open fire, putting the tree up or stringing lights on the house any time between Halloween and Thanksgiving can provide even the slightest bit of joy to someone, then by all means, let the music play and the lights glow. Lately I’ve been feeling a tiny jolt of happiness every time I see a new tree go up in someone’s window or lights illuminating the roofline in the neighborhood. I smile every time.

You know, life is incredibly hard. Work is stressful. Unkindness is an epidemic. News headlines seem to go from bad to worse. Sometimes it’s all just so exhausting. And it’s not going to get easier. To me, letting Christmas in early doesn’t slight Thanksgiving; it simply gives us additional little reasons to be grateful. Beauty. Warmth. Nostalgia. Joy. I welcome it all.