we interrupt the regularly scheduled emotionally charged blog posts for a very important announcement:
as you may or may not be aware, i am a BIG fan of the Advent Season and all of the delights that have become attached to this season. as you also may or may not know, i am a huge non-fan of the commercialism of Christmas. when i watch tv at this time i get a little ill at the commercials and the merciless butchering of Christmas song classics to engineer some sort of emotional response between a 2 for 1 toilet paper deal at Costco and the tune of “i’ll be home for Christmas”. maybe that’s not a real life example, but it so could happen these days. but let’s move away from the negativity and get down to what warms the cockles of my heart this time of year.
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| this ornament says it all |
twinkle lights. i dig. i so so dig.
my morning routine has been modified because of twinkle lights. it’s not straight from prying myself off of the bed with the jaws of life to mechanically making breakfast and staring into oblivion as i try to get some fuel in the tank. no no no. wedged quite cozily between the jaws of life and oblivion is the enchanting ritual of plugging in my twinkle lights.
all four plugged in for maximum Christmas cheer soaking. and instead of oblivion, i now gaze into a Christmas card that is our house.
it really does change my morning demeanor. they might as well be tiny Christmas fairies holding candles in my tree for the magical transformation of the usually bleary eyed sleepy head that is me when the lights add their sparkle to my day.
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| fairy lights dance on the ceiling |
and to come from the old fall darkness after a day of work into the gingerbread frosted indoors is lovely. it just is. it can’t help it.
cheer of the Christmas persuasion is hanging all about our place and i am warmed by it. it’s like the hug that comes at the perfect timing and let’s you melt so comfortably into warmth and comfort. it has the flavor of home. and China is the head elf in our dealings. i am the one that loves the crafts and will do them all year round, but when Christmas time comes a courtin’, it is Christina who takes the arm and does a turn or two about the ballroom.
from our childhood, she was our fearless leader in enthusiasm for Christmas decorating--and when met with any opposition in her designs, well...just watch out. because girlfriend won’t quit. if you saw the iron will that was at work last weekend when she tried for maybe a solid hour (it felt like an hour) to hang this garland here or there and hook this or that and nail those into them...well, it was not a material victory, but i hold her victorious in spirit. Christmas Spirit spirit, that is. and she is also the master mind behind one of my favorite decorations in our place right now. behold the glory, once again, of being a glass jar hoarder...i mean collector:
and behold the glory of sunlight through windows through Christmas tree shadows. throw in hot hazelnut splashed coffee, warm pumpkin bread and anne of green gables and you have me saying to myself: this moment was brought to you by Love. simple as that.
there is a unique beauty for me at this time. the soul penetrating anticipation of Christ’s birth in these weeks of Advent that is sustained through the Eucharist, the particularly selected Scripture readings in Mass for this time of year, and the more intentional daily reminder that the Church gives us at this time: the reminder that this is not our home and that we are waiting for the Lord to come again.
and how the little treats of the Christmas season (twinkle lights, planning gifts, baking, family gathering, children beaming with excitement, carols etc.) coincide with this anticipation to add a dimension of warmth, cheer and a glowing hope that dwelling in Beauty truly is our destiny.
when i think about the little things in this season that delight me in their little way, i believe that God knew humans would need this season and this beautiful combination. this fusion of waiting in the dark for the Light of the World to come, and the soft glow of a candles flame, or a twinkle light in dark branches of an evergreen, to remind us that all will be well. and to Hope in the Lord, for the Light is approaching. “the Dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace” the Canticle of Zechariah, Luke 1: 78-79
and though there is a pervading sadness in my heart and a desire for moments passed, this time of year is the perfect reminder that our hope is Heaven. our destiny is to dwell in Light Inaccessible. and it is for this that I hope and wait and pray for. and it is there that Mimi has been called to. Joy to the World.
it is a most wonderful time of the year. (i can’t say the most, because Easter still holds that place).
happy end of the first week of Advent. happy Friday. happy Christmas spiriting. and to all a good night.
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