When the twins were in high school they were part of a production of A Charlie Brown Christmas. Aurelle was Sally, the younger sister of Linus. His signature companion was his security blanket, which doubled as a shepherd's costume in a pinch. Aurelle wore a pink dress and looked fondly up at her big brother. It turns out he was unsure of himself too. Hope played Frieda, a girl with naturally curly hair. In reality, Hope's hair does not so behave, necessitating a wig. 
 

If you aren't acquainted with Peanuts, they are a bunch of cartoon kids who struggle with feeling included, or being capable of kicking a football across the yard. Charlie Brown is the central figure if only because we care about him. He tries, and mostly fails, to understand the nuance of popularity. His dog Snoopy has no such inhibitions, and dances on the peak of his doghouse as if falling carries no consequences. For a beagle, maybe it doesn't.
 

Charlie Brown brings home a spindly tree that sags under the weight of a single ornament. whereas Snoopy is an extravagant decorator, and wins the neighborhood contest. Charlie Brown drops his head in disbelief.

"Good grief."

There is a girl in the play who plays a girl in a play. When her moment arrives she is supposed to say "Hark!" but in her nervousness she forgets her line. She regrets the mistake for the rest of the scene, unable to fix it. In solidarity, the entire cast wear bright t-shirts at the after party with that single word emblazoned across it.

"Hark!"

Many of us struggle to get this Christmas thing right. Our fear of being unpopular, or saying the wrong thing can stifle us. People around us all seem to succeed with enough tinsel, and glitz. Their elaborate lights and generous gifts hit it out of the park, or at least the yard. But we hide our sense of unworthiness not under a wig, exactly, but under a forced smile.

Maybe there is such a thing as good grief. We arrive at the realization that our failings may not be fatal, any more than a missed cue, or a funny looking tree or a tumble off a three foot roof. Maybe our security comes from knowing that the God of Heaven and Earth cares enough to adorn us with His love. Even if we are the most homely tree on the lot.