The Final Sign of Christmas: Trees

I have left the tree till last, mostly because I did not know what I wanted to say in this blog. There were so many ideas, but in the last few days with the changes and disruptions to our already disrupted plans for Christmas. The message has become clear in my mind. 

There was another reason that I left the tree to last; growing up the tree was the last decoration to arrive in our home. It was the sign that Christmas was finally here. Our family always had a real tree. When the tree arrived and began to die; it was a sign that the festivities really started to live. The Christmas chocolate was opened. Suddenly, the Christmas cheese was not off bounds. The tree had to die so that the festivities could live. 

I have been really struck by that idea. We kill something so that something else can live. What else in this disrupted, distorted, and sometimes a devastating year, have I had to kill off, and what things have lived because of it?
I have killed off expectation so that being at peace with reality has a chance to live.
Killed off perfectionism, so that progress can be celebrated.
Killed media consumption, so that creativity has a chance to live.
Killed time with family, so that other people can live.

In many ways, the Christmas trees and their dropping needles that fill our homes with delight are a fantastic precursor to the second half of the story. You know the one, where someone had to die so that everyone else could live. 
I have had fun writing these little thoughts about Advent, thank you for joining me on the journey.
Merry Christmas,

Serena

The Signs of Christmas: Angels

Jack saw angels and not the kind I would ever wish to meet. He was close to seven years old and was entirely comfortable with the fact that he had seen angels outside his house, protecting him and his family. The young boy described them as sword-wielding, radiant beings who struck holy terror everywhere they went. They were not the slightly odd Barbie dolls that we put on the top of the Christmas tree. These creatures meant business. 

The dictionary definition of an angel says ‘an agent or messenger of God.’ When we look at this in the context of the Christmas narrative their role seems to be to explain that our protagonists should not be terrified, even though some horrifically terrifying event is about to take place.

That is how they announced themselves each time in the Christmas story.

Do not be afraid, you’re thirteen and you’re going to have a baby.

Do not be afraid, you’re fiancee is pregnant

Do not be afraid, you are going to be the first to see Emmanual.

Do not be afraid, you need to flee your homeland to protect your child.

Cast your mind back to the beginning of this year and consider what the angels, the sword-wielding messenger, might have said to you:

Do not be afraid, you’re going to be separated from your loved ones

Do not be afraid, your way of life is going to be drastically altered

Do not be afraid, homeschooling for six months is awesome!

Do not be afraid, you’re going to be unemployed 

I guess we would have run a mile; questioned everything, and found ourselves meditating, even fixated, on the end of those sentences, not the beginning. 

This week as we look for angels as a sign of the arrival of Christmas let’s take a minute and remember to stay in the first part of the sentence. And, whatever the new year brings, do not be afraid.

Sunlight on Snow Fall

Isolated on the plains of Illinois,
The farmers greeted us with hospitality,
Weary travellers, entertained by angels;
Kinship, solely sojourners share.
We were welcomed there.

A hot meal, around a wooden table, on long benches
Simple food, flavoured with love.
A campfire conversation,
In the warmth of a home.
Built board by board, with rugged splintered hands.
We were welcomed there.

Hospitality birthed ownership
As we shared heart and light with those new friends
Their story became ours

Welcome rest, on washed worn sheets
Duvets ripped open in darkness.
Feathery snow covered our farm
The world is silent when snow falls
Humanity on pause

Sunrise on snowfall
Dazzling distraction of light on white.
Brighter than the noon sun.
Deafening bright silence

Our story of hospitality
Shared hearts, Bright Lights.
No divisions, quickly creates
A family from strangers
Bonded by light
Sunlight on snow fall