Well this past November we had a huge snow storm! The last few days at the beginning of December we see warm Spring-like weather. I believe this is only a short reprieve before the snow begins again in earnest. It is December after all, so we can expect this. I truly love the fresh snow before any footprints have marred its surface. Even at night the snow reflects light so it never seems dark outside. What I love most of all is the snow that looks like it has a million diamonds as the sun reflects on the crystals.
So December is here again! Christmas is just around the corner. I heard a discussion about Santa Claus and whether it is a good thing or not and whether it adds to the birth of Jesus and all that this signifies. What seemed to come out of the discussion on CBC radio was that Santa Claus shared the gift of giving. He also listened to small children as they spoke about their hopes and dreams: many requests were for gifts for themselves, but not always; they often asked for gifts for others.
Indeed I have seen many young people who have tried to help out their communities in whatever way they could. My own daughter as a child gave up her allowances to help a young boy in Guatemala. He is in University now pursuing a career he couldn’t have dreamed of as a child in an impoverished country. So Santa Claus indeed does seem to help in the spirit of giving.
Another thing I love at this time of year is the beautiful Christmas carols. I do not like it though when the malls start up these songs right after Halloween! Early December is soon enough. That way you can appreciate each beloved song as if it were a long lost friend who has just returned home. The language of music is so universal. I mentioned in a past entry about being in Minsk, Belarus near Christmas time and singing carols on the bus. Music indeed is a universal language. This had lead to many conversations and smiles. Music = smiles!
In many traditions people go to candlelight services on Christmas Eve. If you are lucky it will begin to snow just before or just after the service. A congregation of people united in prayer and again in song, come together to welcome the new day on the 25th with the birth of Jesus.
Each religion has its own beliefs and traditions that are honoured at this time of year. The main thing is the gathering of friends and families in celebration of their special holiday. A sharing of traditions often centuries old, but still being carried out today. This is like a well loved book, threadbare from being lovingly read so much.
Isn’t it amazing how lucky we are to live where we can celebrate like this in Canada!
So at this time of year I wish you gatherings of friends from near and far in celebration. I wish you an abundance of holiday fare, but not too much to be uncomfortable. I wish you hope for your future. I wish you dreams to sustain you. I wish you courage to be all you can be. And most of all I wish you love. Love for others and love for yourself.
From my family (my husband, son & daughter-in-law, daughter & son-in-law, 5 Grandbabies and 3 Fur babies) to yours, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a truly amazing year in 2014!
Yours in health,
