So This Is Christmas

Merry Christmas, Hope.

Christmas was a little different this year. It rained last night, if that tells you anything.

It’s been years since I’ve spent a Christmas here.

I went to the Vikings–Lions game last night, and as tradition goes, ‘twas a whiteout. I petition the Vikings to find a way to play on Netflix more often. Maybe it was the Christmas spirit, maybe it was the whiteout towels, but the energy was off the charts in U.S. Bank Stadium last night, even before Snoop Dogg, Lainey Wilson, and the K-pop girls came out. Of course, the game didn’t matter for us; we’ve been eliminated from playoff contention for a couple weeks now. But the Vikings put on a show defensively, controlled the game, and most importantly, won.

By the way, don’t get the concessions pizza at the stadium. It looks good, but it’s mid. The big SKOL bucket of popcorn is where it’s at, though.

Someone asked me what my favorite Christmas traditions were growing up. Well, opening presents on Christmas morning, of course.

I would put on the Christmas music station on the radio to set the mood. If it was a highly anticipated video game, I didn’t get much sleep the night before.

I also liked having something sweet for breakfast like cinnamon rolls, pancakes, or French toast with a lot of syrup, and some orange juice to wash it down.

Favorite Christmas song this year goes to “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, with the Harlem Community Choir. The mandolin-style riffs along with Yoko Ono and the Harlem kids on that chorus get me.

John Lennon is also goated for using children to deliver an anti-war message on a Christmas song.

The nostalgia this song brings, man. It would come on KOOL 108 during a night drive to our cousins’ house. I leaned my head on the cold glass window and watched the snow flurries fall as we zipped by on the freeway.

“This Christmas” by Chris Brown is a close second this year. A sleeper.

These days, I look most forward to a homemade Ghanaian meal. I’ve been eating banku and okra stew and jollof rice with pepper chicken wings exclusively since Christmas Day. A very merry Christmas, indeed.

Another year over, and a new one starting up. Hope you have some fun, eat some good food, and enjoy this Christmas with people you love (or like).

What a wonderful time celebrating the birth of Christ. It’s the season of rebirth and reflection.

One more post by the new year, so I’ll hold off on wishing a Happy New Year.

Merry Christmas.