December … how fast the time flies. Seems as if it was only yesterday that I was preparing for Christmas holidays. Due to the climate here it is always a bit difficult to feel the actual spirit of Christmas, as I remember it, yet internally there is a need or desire to connect with that essence of the season. It is interesting that the upcoming holiday tends to impact individuals and families in a multitude of ways. Most people are looking forward to the more commercialized versions of Christmas, admittedly I am one of them. I love the tree decorating, shopping amidst carols and sipping my Starbucks latte , which I can not buy here. I love the wrapping of gifts, holiday movies and firelight, skiing etc. Ahhh, basking in the warmth of my imagination….oh that is the heat here…

Having recently had a rather deep discussion regarding holidays and the underpinnings of what we feel as they approach. 

I will share some of my personal thoughts and associations as well as those that I have gathered from others over the years. Regardless of which of the many holidays you celebrate, regardless of your particular spiritual and or religious affiliations and regardless of where you live each one of us has multifaceted reasons why we respond to the holidays as we do. The real tricky bit is when you bring two people together to celebrate the season who have very different approaches toward holidays, as well as different upbringings and maybe even different cultures. Now that makes things interesting.

I have found that many of my childhood memories surface at this time of year. Most of them positive. I am fortunate. Many others have less positive memories and associations to the season. My memories, although positive, bring with them expectations… ooops did I say the naughty e word? But it is true. Most people enter holiday seasons with plans, hopes, expectations and sometimes very ambivalent feelings toward the actual carrying out of tradition or what may feel like a large order of other's expectations.

Then there is the aspect of the season that so many forget about. One which I wrote about last year. This is the darkness of the season….not just in regard to the lack of light in much of the Northern Hemisphere but also the depression that is just under the surface, the hauntings of those loved and lost and the unfortunate who have either no one to share their joy or no means which to meet their basic needs; let alone those which our media driven society promote. Without becoming completely despondent, I believe we need to reach inside and raise our own awareness as to what fuels our beliefs and spirits and begin to practice enacting them in small ways. In this way we can begin to shine a light in the darkness, be aware of the joys in our lives and be receptive to the spirit which is brought into the season; only by opening in spite of the darkness and by receiving in spite of our fears and by giving joyously. Not only of material gifts, but giving of the gifts that are often more difficult to give and more deeply needed and often more appreciated, these are the opportunities to share of the gifts we were given to share!

The Christmas story of the Three wise men bringing gifts gives us a clue…what are our individual gifts and how can we share these to brighten the season for others? There are various stories and beliefs surrounding the Wise men or Magi. "Most texts agree that the Magi undertook a historic journey to visit the newborn Christ Child."

Wise men brought with them Frankincense, gold and myrrh. Various stories believe in different numbers of wise men or kings. Some believed there were 12, one for each sign of the zodiac, some three Kings. In one particular version they believed: "…the gold was for a king, the myrrh was for a physician, and the frankincense for priest, for the magi knew who he was, and that He was a King, a Physician and a Priest…"

We can take from these stories what we like, however I like to consider that maybe the ability of the kings or magi to see what was appropriate, what was needed or most valued as being the type of gift we can bring. It may be our ability to listen, to respond with caring or concern, to show up and be present, to enjoy time spent with loved ones or friends. Maybe to bring something that you know could be of use, helpful or something to brighten the mood of some one who is down. Maybe music to lift the spirit, maybe food to feed the hungry or maybe word as balm for the soul….Laughter as medicine or time as healing.

In these dark days of winter take time to consider the meaning of the holiday; the solstice the return of the light, and how you can bring your best gifts forward!

Excerpt from a John Matthews poem:

It is within the darkness and the silence
that the magic of Christmas starts;
Somewhere between the glimmer of
lights and the first breathless moment
When children come
stumbling like new - born angels
Into the morning light
It is here, between darkness
and the light
that we wait uncertain,
Seeking the moment
that challenges us to believe
In a freshly minted miracle
Born every Christmas Day.