THE Christmas Competition: The little competition, which Father John reminded me that I started, has me not only imitating Clark Griswold but also our neighbor on Edmonton Street with all the inflatable Christmas decorations! I never thought in a million years I would have inflatable Christmas decorations on my front lawn. It’s a sure sign I’m getting old because I really don’t care anymore!

It all started a few Saturdays ago when Father John and I were out to dinner with our sisters and brothers-in-law. We started talking about which house had the better light display. Father John thought we ran out of lights when the boys decorated his trees; he didn’t feel his house was lit up enough. Then he started talking about an inflatable nativity set. Monsignor “I never want inflatable Christmas decorations on our front lawns” spoke up but soon had to back-pedal because he could see Father John was serious about wanting to get this inflatable nativity set he saw someplace. So I put the brakes on my Grinch type talk and tried to persuade him to move forward with his grand idea. So the stage was set for a healthy competition.

A couple days later, long before the break of dawn, the front of Father John’s house was miraculously decked out with a very cute inflatable nativity set along with some tree ornaments and some lighted candy-cane sticks. I only knew something was up because I started to get texts from people very early that morning. The best text came from a certain eighth-grade teacher. Let’s just say for the sake of this article, her name was Mrs. Krymski. “Fearless leader … just what trumps the Holy Family? Choirs of angels? Good Luck? We anxiously await the next chess move!” Yikes, this was serious! She was right. I had to have something religious. So I went on to Amazon and tried to see if I could come up with some inflatable angels or three kings to complete the nativity scene and be a little different. Things got busy, and I totally forgot about looking around for something. I figured I was too late anyway, and I quietly decided Father John was going to win this little competition.

Then on Thursday morning (the Thursday before Christmas), people expressed some dismay and bewilderment why nothing more had been added to my house. I got another text from this certain eighth-grade teacher that seemed to sum up the comments others were voicing too. She texted, “I know what you’re doing. You are reminding us that ‘waiting’ is an important part of Advent. Father John’s house is really looking good. Might have to give him a special award.” One of the twins, Paul, then called and asked if I wanted to deck out my house with more lights or maybe even a tree that was leftover from the Tree Lot. My sister Jackie then showed up for work and started to poke at me. “Come on, let’s go shopping. We have to do something to the front of your house.” I really didn’t think we would find anything this close to Christmas, but I was game for seeing what still was out there. I made the call to Paul and told him to go forward with the tree as Jackie and I were driving off to Lowe’s. Much to my surprise, Lowe’s still had plenty of decorations including many inflatable ones still around. The bonus was that they were all 50% off at this point. So, we loaded up our cart with stuff. With a few inflatable decorations and some ornaments to deck out the large tree in front of my house, I was ready to go. I was most happy to find an inflatable nativity scene that was different than the one Father John had on his front lawn. As Jackie and I were driving back, I made the call to Paul and Steve to meet us at my house so they could help put this stuff up.

Later that day (it was still the Thursday before Christmas), I was sitting in my house working on something and heard some women’s voices outside. The sound was very clear, so I knew they were close to the house. I peeked out my window but didn’t see anyone on my front lawn. I then heard laughter like a couple of teenagers enjoying a little joke they were pulling on a friend. I continued about my work but then had to return to the Parish Center. As I left the house, I noticed a car in my driveway. I then looked over to my front lawn and saw two parishioners, let’s just say their names were Ann and Laurie, adding to the front lawn display with a beautiful nativity scene and some lit-up Christmas package decorations on my front porch. They were VERY surprised they were caught. At their request, I pretended I didn’t see them and continued walking to the Parish Center. This competition was certainly heating up.

That evening, we had our staff Christmas gathering. As the evening was coming to a close, my sister approached and asked if we were going shopping again to get more stuff. Others overheard and started to egg me on, especially when they heard I was contemplating a 12-foot inflatable Nutcracker. After hemming and hawing for a bit, I gave in. Jackie and I raced over to Lowe’s. Much to our surprise, the large inventory of Christmas decorations from the morning was almost gone. As we were rummaging through what was left, we found one of the 12-foot Nutcracker inflatables. We went back and forth because I didn’t know if I really wanted to spend the money plus I was worried there was some city ordinance on the height of Christmas decorations! After some discussion, we gave in and bought the thing. I just kept hearing this little inner voice saying to me: “I can’t believe you’re doing this.” Jackie and I returned to my house and got the inflatable in place and staked in the ground. Jackie then plugged it in. We both started to laugh uncontrollably as the Nutcracker came to life. This thing was HUGE. I suddenly had a 12-foot Nutcracker guarding my house. As we were marveling at my display, we noticed Father John hop in his truck and leave “OH NO,” we thought. “He’s probably going off to buy some more stuff.” So I called him. “OH, don’t worry,” he said. “I have a few things up my sleeve yet.” Evening came, and morning followed. As I write this, it’s Friday morning before Christmas. Today we have our school mass, and I’ve been told the winner will receive an award after mass. I wasn’t sure what he had up his sleeve, but I was anxiously waiting. I just peeked outside my bedroom window and let out a huge laugh because I saw a large ladder on Father John’s front lawn. Yikes, it wasn’t over! This should be good. Watch out Edmonton Street … Overlake Street has come alive. As I think about it, there might be two Clark Griswolds living on Overlake Street!!

Enjoy the week. Know of my prayers. Happy New Year.

In Christ,

gmb
gmb@sjascs.org