On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me —

4 major awards,

3 dancing pigs, 2 handmade bells, and a portrait to put on the tree.

One of my holiday rituals is to watch A Christmas Story each December. Somehow it makes me laugh every time. And since laughter is such great medicine, I try to do it as often as possible.

With so much grief in this world, in our cities, in our lives, laughter is important — no, vital. Being able to appropriately see the humor in life can not only spice up a stale situation, it can make the painful become bearable.

So the “major award” on my tree (aka the leg lamp from A Christmas Story) makes me chuckle, even at the mere mention of it. I wish I had the following figures to go with it: a genuine Red Ryder 200-shot Carbine Action Air Rifle, a bundled-up Randy, Flick with tongue on a pole, Ralphie in a bunny suit, and 4 Chinese men singing “Deck the Halls.”

I’m sorry if you haven’t seen the movie. Please rent it with the three other people who haven’t and watch. Just be prepared for silliness. But I digress.

Employ comedy, humor, laughing out loud through any ornament that helps put you in a good mood (a pig reindeer with jingle bell antlers, a constipated looking chicken with rainbow feathers, an inside joke…) Whatever it takes to remind yourself of the joys in this season — put that on your tree.

Light up the tree, sit in front of it with some hot cocoa and a good book. Try the Bible (Luke 1-2). It is Jesus’ birthday, after all. And Jesus, of all people, knew about fun and celebrating. His first miracle was bringing more booze to a wedding party (John 2).

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me — visit here tomorrow to see.