Christmas means so many things, it's hard to define. Phases of emotion corresponding to my age. The unsurpassed anticipation as a child, only to be outdone when it was my turn to be the giver to my children. Oh, how I wanted to make it magic, just like when I was a kid. But it's not about the gifts, is it? It's family and friends, caring and sharing, and most of all, it's about the feeling of Christmas in my heart - that is what I was really looking for.
I was looking to rekindle Advent. The significance of Advent is the preparation for the commemoration of the birth of Jesus.
I needed a break from the commercial part of the season...where the sacred and the secular collide and are crudely tangled for weeks, where goodwill towards men and generosity struggle with the ugly crassness of consumerism, and where the birth of love into the world is reduced to a rendition of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” in three-part harmony.
In this reflective space of Advent, I focus beyond the headlines to prepare me for this most beautiful celebration. Oh, Advent, I do love thee, where I had begun to light the candles, feeling warmth as a rekindling began in my heart, my heart.
These candles are, but, a small light in the darkness. When the darkness is especially intense, it seems like that small light shines so much brighter. Advent emphasizes to me those smaller moments of light. Those small moments in life. The important little details.
So small and yet, I can begin to feel new possibilities. Sometimes I need a reminder. I can feel the love from here.
Thank you to so many people for reading and supporting me at ths time. Life and work have just gotten in my way,and you are in my thoughts...just letting you know that there is so much love in my heart for all of you.
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Beautiful. It is the most wonderful time of the year. So much magic. The lighting of the Advent candles harkens back to the days when Mary and Joseph would light the 8 candles of the Hanukkah menorah... waiting for their Son, the Messiah to be born. They would name him Yeshua In Hebrew a Word that means Salvation. At this time in those days the Magi (magicians) were travelling to bring him Gifts of Gold, and Frankincense and Myhrr... so much symbolism, so much meaning in every word, in every letter.... Peace on Earth, Good will to all.
Christmas day here in my country is different, kids in their best apparel would go house to house or at least to all of their godparents or relatives to receive their money gifts or other gifts.
Now with the pandemic going on I guess that the tradition will break @dswigle
That is much the way we have it here and now this will change the course.
So many great photos that are simply amazing, but the last one is my fave!
Thank you! I know you love Christmas! ;)