Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

Even though I rarely attend church anymore, and even though my ideas of Christianity have changed quite a bit over the last several years, I still love Christmas. It's such a beautiful time of year. There's the lovely music, magnificent snow, delicious food, and great company. I love the exchange of well-wishes and the sight of people going and coming, all bundled up. I love the smell of Christmas: pine needles, turkey, and incense. I love being with my family. I love drinking wine, and getting all dressed up for the packed-in, crowded 4:00 family service and the much quieter Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, and I love snacking on clementines, chocolate, mixed nuts, and assorted cheeses.

Most of all, though, I love what Christmas stands for: Hope in a world full of fear, anger, and hatred. The knowledge that even despite all the crap we go through every year, the birth of a little baby in Bethlehem over two thousand years ago still has the power to bring a sense of harmony and joy to the collective society, and to the soul within. Even if only for a short time.

Whatever you celebrate, I hope your holidays are filled with joy, harmony, and love.


xoxo
Nikki
&hearts