We turn to stories and pictures and music because they show us who and what and why we are, and what our relationship is to life and death, what is essential, and what, despite the arbitrariness of falling beams, will not burn.
~ Madeleine L’Engle, A Circle of Quiet
Relishing the dark silence of the morning as Husband and Yorkie still slumber; words my comfort, as always, helping me sort through the chaff to get to the place of truth.
Daily advent readings help me stay grounded in this season, but I still long January. I wish it wasn’t so, but it is. I know I’m not alone in wanting to be done with all of this; there contrary comfort in that.
One quiet and rainy Christmas morning when we lived in Washington I stepped outside carrying a special bag of bird seed I had been saving for the day. As I sprinkled the seed and welcomed Christmas I felt at peace. It was one of the nicest, and simplest, Christmas morning moments I can recall.
Proof, again, that simple happy outlasts glitz and glitter.
Believe me Linda you are not alone with such thoughts … I too long for January. On New Year’s Day I am out looking for the first signs of spring bulbs . I jump a jig when I see them . ???
Cherryx
Ha! Good for you, Cherry! On New Year’s Day my bulbs will still be nestled under a blanket of snow.
This really speaks to me, Linda. I’ve always loved the glitz and glimmer of Christmas. However, each year I long for more simplicity. My son and his wife gifted me with a set of Christmas dishes. I dreaded every moment of digging them out and unpacking them this year. It was everything I don’t want Christmas to be, but I did it for fear of disappointing them. For me, my favorite Christmas decoration this year is a simple string of lights I hung around the door in my office. That’s all I need.
Isn’t it sad that it has come to this – that so many dread the time of Christmas – when we should be rejoicing and feeling thankful for the gifts that have come to us by way of the Good Lord! Instead we are stressed over giving the gifts of ‘things’. Stressed over the presentation of the perfect meal. Was Christmas really meant to be this way? I think not!