Welcome to Day One of our official start to the season (begins tomorrow)!
I have always been a lover of Christmas. Thankfully my parents were Christmas crazy too. Likely where I got most of my love for the holidays from. My mom decorated the house traditionally in her special way and my father took care of the 12 foot tree. We had a "kiddie tree" in the family room to decorate with nontraditional ornaments (Disney figures, school crafts, etc.) As an adult, Christmas became a time of family bonding and fellowship with my parents' friends, (ours were welcome too) relatives and neighbours. Carollers would come to our door and we ventured to other neighborhoods to raise money for the local Santa Fund.
Since I was a young teenager, I would sit quietly by the Christmas Tree and reflect on Christmases past and for me that would include family members who were no longer able to celebrate the holidays with us.
One year, my father was coming upstairs from the family room and saw me sitting in the living room. I startled him because he didn't realize I was there. It was dark with the exception of the lights on the twelve-foot Christmas tree. He asked, "Why are you sitting all alone in the dark?" I replied, "I'm not sitting in the dark, the Christmas Tree Lights are on. I'm just thinking about things." My dad went upstairs to change into his pyjamas and came back and sat down on a chair in the living room. He said, "I think I'll just sit here for a little while and think about things too." We were silent for a few minutes and then had one of the most memorable chats we've ever shared about our Christmases past. I realized that the people gathering, the Christmas music playing in the background and exchanging stories were as special to him as they were to me.
Who else would understand or care about what I just shared? Christmas lovers care and share their memories and plans for the future too while waiting out the days until the next Christmas. When the Ebenezer’s of the world experience Christmas spirit, they are often reminded of the first gift of love that was offered so long ago. For those of us who live with Christmas in our hearts all year long , we can support their seasonal joy by accepting them into our festive forums and our glad hearts.
The scene in It’s A Wonderful Life, when Zuzu looks up at her daddy (George) and says, “teacher says, every time a bell rings, an Angel gets its wings” reminds me how I feel. Every time a new member arrives or an old one returns, a Christmas chime plays in my head to welcome them.
The holiday season is officially upon us (tomorrow) and it comes with the opportunity to celebrate the wide variety of personal and traditional celebrations that our families (members) enjoy. As Christmas enthusiasts, we are always eager to learn and discover the traditions celebrated by our new friends, and endeavour to create a festive community where all feel welcome and “at home”.
Festive Regards,
Auntie Mistletoe