Merry “Clinchmas” and Happy Holidays, Ravens Wire readers. Tis the season to celebrate a playoff-clinching, and that is precisely what Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and his team did last night.
It was not only a long-overdue win against their most spirited rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers, but one that clinched a playoff berth.
“Rejoice” is the word that Harbaugh used to express his excitement and satisfaction with his team making the playoffs.
It’s the same word he used several times in articulating his special Christmas message to anyone listening.
“Rejoice. Rejoice in life,” Harbaugh told reporters at his postgame press conference on Saturday night.
Rejoice in your circumstances. Rejoice in the tough games. Rejoice in the losses. Rejoice in the wins like we’re blessed to do today as a football team, and just rejoice in the people that you love, the people that are close to you.
Rejoice. We aren’t here on this Earth to worry about every little thing and spar with one another. We’re here to rejoice in one another and with one another and love one another.
Let’s try to remember that this week. This is a big football week – it’s also a big life week. It’s a big spiritual week.”
Harbaugh sent a compelling message this holiday season. Rejoicing in life’s successes and wins is one thing. Rejoicing in adversity, losses, and everything else in between is quite another.
The Ravens will, of course, be working and working hard this Christmas Day, as they’ll visit the Houston Texans for a late afternoon kickoff (televised on Netflix).
The game will be the perfect companion to the food, family, and festive spirit we’ll enjoy this week. That’s why it’s the most wonderful time of the year.
