The Christmas season is a joyous one. No matter whether you actually celebrate the religious side of it or not, the holiday time is a magical one for all.
We all realise that Christmas is made for children! What with all the excitement of anticipated presents, the glow of the tree lights, the decorations and all the treats, such wonders. There is also a little bit of the child in each and every one of us.
Christmas invokes childhood memories for all of us, hopefully, mostly good. Certainly, for me the smell of pine takes me back to when I was a little girl. My mother loved to decorate the house inside with freshly cut pine branches decorated with huge bright red ribbons. Our tree had gold decorations since my father liked it simple for better effect. Sort of ‘more is less’ idea. However, one thing always sticks in my memory and that was the ‘real’ candles we had hanging in our live Christmas tree on special holders that had cone shaped weights to hold them up straight. Can you imagine? Real candles to light up your Christmas tree?!!!! It did give that magical feel though since we always celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve. The warm glow of the candles in the tree (no we never had any accidents!), the tall red candles that were lit and stood proudly in their holders on the table amongst the best china and linen. The pretty shadows darting across the presents at the base of the tree with the anticipated eagerness to unwrap them whilst listening to old fashioned Christmas carols. The light dancing through the glasses of red wine or, as in my case, red wine tinted with plenty of water to create a beautiful rose glow! Those are my warm memories, I was so lucky.
I know that the memories for all of us a so different; as different as we all are and that is what helps make them so unique. Events happen and at the time we cringe, weep, sit in anguish, laugh or smile. However, later we look back, when the time will have mellowed those same events and we can remember them with less grief, with pleasure, with a glow. This is truly the time to reflect. A time to think about the good things that are still with us for there will always be somebody worse off than ourselves. It can be hard to realise at the time but, truly, there is.
Lately several of our team have had bad news, endured sadness, pain and misfortune. Just remember, you will get through it. There are those who will want to try to reach out to help, give comfort, gently stroke the forehead to help make it better – let them. We all need each other for the support we can give to get us through our situations. Soon there will be a time to look up and smile; see the wonder that is before us and shine once again.
“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”
Psalm 91:4
It was not my intention when I started to think about writing my post for this blog to become so reflective. Indeed, I am not particularly religious!However, since we are a close group even though we are scattered across many far miles, we have so much in common with each other – that of empathy along with the wonderful support we give each other in times of plenty, times of grief and just, in times.
I thank you all for the comfort you have brought me and in turn I hope I will be able to return the favour. So, now I leave you with a few ‘comfort’ items from our wonderfully talented team. You are the BBEST!
O Tannenbaum Holiday Gift Tags by MisterPenQuin – these would be so pretty on your gifts under the tree!
"Angels around us, angels beside us, angels within us. Angels are watching over you when times are good or stressed. Their wings wrap gently around you, whispering you are loved and blessed."
- Angel Blessing
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14 comments:
What a beautiful Holiday blog and so full of memories. It made me think back to the many special Christmas' when I was growing up. I hope in this age of everything being computerized that our children will have some traditions that they can carry on. I try to pass that on to them.
Although you said it was not a religious blog, thank you for sharing that psalm, which is meaningful to all religions.
Love your beautiful choices to help us celebrate the many variations of Christmas celebrated among us.
What a beautiful and thought provoking feature, Pat. Loved reading about your childhood Christmas. I have been among the members who has been going through a difficult time in my life and I know that you and the other bbesters have been such a comfort and blessing for me.
Thank you Pat and thank you all for coming into my life. Have a wonderful Holiday season and the bbest New Year possible.
Lovely post Pat. It has the true feeling of the holiday
and reflects the friendship and compassion that our
wonderful team possess.
Heart warming post. Thanks Pat for sharing.
Lovely post, Pat!! We truly are a support group for one another in many ways. Thank you for your thoughts!!
You said it all in such a beautiful way! Thanks for this lovely blog and sharing works of our talented members.
Lovely post, and thank you for including my tags! We are all very fortunate to have such empathic members in our BBEST group; thanks also for highlighting this.
Pat - what a lovely post! It warmed my heart to hear your memories and in brought many of my own.
Yes, times can get rough, but I love how you reminded us to cling to our circle of friends - and this BBEST circle is a wonderful one! I love you all!!!
Thank you for writing this for us!
Lovely, Pat! I do so appreciate this group -- particularly right now during my set of overwhelming challenges. And thank you for including my mixed media Christmas card. Blessings to all the BBEST!
PQ, what a sweet post. We members are very lucky to have made such wonderful friends.
real candles on the tree huh? :)
“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”
This is such a comforting verse, and I can promise you that in my own experience it is true - if you give Him the chance. Thanks for such a timely and beautiful post, Pat.
A lovely reminder to slow down and reflect during the holidays, and to bring comfort to one another which is the true light of the season.
What a great post. I love each of you so much. You were there when I really needed friends and you've stuck by me all along. Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, and a Blessed Yule to all.
and thank you for including my Nativitiy also.
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