Happy Holidays
Happy Holidays! Whichever ones apply:
Jewish, Christian, Pagan, secular!
Practicing people are not particular,
Perhaps because all people yearn for friends.
Year’s end’s a time of darkness, true, but when
Has darkness ever darkened one small light?
Our pleasures are like candles in the night,
Lighting lamps that burn beyond our ken.
In celebration there is more than joy:
Days of feasting bind our friendships fast,
A fat and full embrace of things that last,
Yet holy in what sense one might employ,
Savoring sweet songs that spirits buoy.
At our indoor Winter Solstice celebration year we have a “peace tree” or, if you prefer, a “wishes tree”. The tree is a potted evergreen that can be transplanted into the soil to grow naturally in February when the ground is saturated by rain. It’s decorated with only white lights, a golden dove on the top, and white wishes cards that boast a blue peace dove on one side and a golden ribbon affixed to one corner. The cards are 3 inches by 5 inches in size and the opposite side is blank for a special purpose.
As each person arrives they greet everyone, and then they sit down at a small table and contemplate the upcoming year, while they write a wish for their community and the world on their card. Once they have record their wish they hang their card on the tree with the blue dove facing outward so the wish remains unseen.
When the feasting, singing, dancing and clean up are done and we are prepared to leave. Each person goes to the tree and chooses a card randomly and holds it until the last person has their card in hand. We form a circle and each one of us then reads the wish recorded on the card out loud. Then we sing our final song and disperse with cards in hand to hang on our own trees at home. I’d like to share my wish with my readers so I’ve entered it below.
My wish is that people will love more, speak to each other honestly, hug without needing a reason, cry without feeling ashamed, laugh just because they can, be good just for goodness sake, help because they can, love life, laughter and happiness because each moment in this life is a gift.
Do you have a wish that you would like to share?
Do you have a seasonal tradition that you would like to share?
If so please feel free to do so when you comment.
@earthtoholly
Thanks so much for your kind words. I’m concerned that my flu.cold has now turned into what I think maybe infected sinuses and pneumonia. I’m also enduring a major fibromyalgia flare-up so I’ll be making a doctor’s appointment as soon as I can in the New Year.
Have a wonderful New Year’s Eve and also a healthy and Happy New Year. :-)
Hi TT. Sorry to hear that your household is down and out with the flu. Doesn’t it always happen like that…this sort of thing strikes right in the middle of something you’ve waited all year for? Hope all of you are better soon.
Wanted to take this opportunity to say I’ve thoroughly enjoyed both of your blogs, although I haven’t delved into onecoolsite as much as I wanted…and I really need to! And many thanks for your visits and kind comments to mine. Like you, I’m also hoping for a better 2009, so get some rest, try to have a happy New Year and I’ll comment with you next year! :o)
earthtohollys last blog post..Silent Sunday: foggy Kentucky morn
@Jennifer
We did have a lovely Solstice but by mid-afternoon it was obvious that my husband was coming down with a flu so we dropped all our plans for the rest of the holidays. Thus far we have endured 3 major snow dumps and power outages. We have had to replace 2 skylight panels and after the well head thawed the main water line into the house burst and had to be repaired too. Two days ago I also came down with this cold/flu or whatever it is that has put us both out of commission. Currently we are coping with the nasty symptoms of this disease and trying to get some rest. However, every time we try laying down we cough ourselves awake again. Without doubt this has been the most disappointing holiday season we have ever had to go through. :( So we are certainly looking forward to a New Year characterized by good health.
I love the idea of homemade gifts. Although we don’t give Christmas gifts we do make and give small gifts to friends throughout the year and they are always appreciated. Thanks so much for coming to read and comment. May you and yours enjoy and very Happy New Year. :)
timethief — Finally getting around to stopping by in between Christmas and the end of the year!
Your tradition sounds like a lovely thing. We’re still in the process of figuring out what sort of traditions to create in our small family, and I admit that it sometimes feels like the holiday and others’ expectations wins out. This year I decided that we would try to give homemade presents or books instead of focusing on gadgets, which is much more satisfying and feels more “real.”
I hope you had a lovely solstice celebration and best wishes for the new year.
Jennifer
Jennifers last blog post..He sees you when you’re sleeping
@Nards
Peace and joy to you too. :)
@gabrielgadfly
What a wonderful wish. Thanks so much for posting it here. May your New Year be an excellent one.
@Robin
I thought the wish I received was a wonderful wish too. Like you I don’t cut trees unless they are hazardous. In fact every winter when the ground is saturated my friends and I become guerrilla gardeners. We plant trees everywhere we can. lol :D
I love the wish you have made for me. I can benefit from calmness, peace and love – we all could. Become the change you want to see does come to mind. Belss you and have a wonderful New year.
Peace and joy to you TT! – Nards
Nardss last blog post..Song of the day: Peace Love and Understanding – Nick Lowe
My wish is this: that we will grow, that we will support one another, that we will put aside our petty squabbles, that we will reclaim the magic sparks that can happen when humans come together and put their minds and spirits towards a common purpose.
Gabriel – Gadfly Revolutions last blog post..Happiness Doesn’t Have a Secret
I found this so moving. I love the living peace tree. I do not cut trees down or even buy cut trees, so I found this so beautiful and reassuring. I also think the idea of the wish cards very inspiring. It invites people to consciousness and feels very healing. The wish that you recieved is just stunningly written and moving.
I wish for you (and me), dear friend, calm peace in this new year, the ability for us to let go and realize we cannot always do it all (at least not all at once), that we cannot always be all things to all people, that we can remember and focus on what really matters to us and those we love, that we can take more time to be “with” the wild…our loved ones…ourselves, that we can reconnect with our dreams and live them one by one, that we can let stress roll by and still stand firm in any storm, that we have people in our lives to nurture us and help us along the way…and that we can do that for them, that we will in our lifetime see humanity turn toward Mother Earth and not further away, that we will see healing…peace…and love find it’s way into more hearts and souls, that we will see judgments drop like heavy stones to the bottom of the sea, that we will see minds open like spring flowers pushing through snow to the light. I wish for you all the love and goodness that you generously bestow on others. I wish for you all the goodness that you ARE. Much Love, Robin
Robin Eastons last blog post..Madcap Christmas Magic II
Best wishes and seasons greetings to you sulz. Have a Happy and prosperous and new year too. :)
happy christmas timethief. wishing you a good year’s end and a better one in the year ahead.
sulzs last blog post..The Art of Partying Secretly
@Chrissy
I &hearts you bigtime girl. What a shame we live on two different continents. And I’ll return that cyber hug along with a kiss for each cheek. :0
@Melissa
It’s nice to hear you liked my wish. I also like the idea of food gifts. Cookies and squares are always appreciated and so are jams, jellies and other preserves. My you and your family have a terrific holiday together.
Yup, my wish is that people no matter what they believe, where they are from, whatever religion they follow……….. will try to be kind to others. Simple stuff!
Thank you for sharing :)
Have a lovely holiday and all the best to you and yours..oh and *big hugs* :D
Chrissys last blog post..Seasons Greetings to all from Shropshire
What a wonderful wish you’ve made! It hit home for me perfectly! You have a spectacular tradition as well. In our house, we’ve moved away from the holiday madness some by making baked goods and passing them out to friends as opposed to buying gifts. My girls have come to enjoy making cookies and candies for everyone and it gives us great “family” time together.
Melissa Wards last blog post..A little Elfing around with the NewWard crew :)
A wonderful tradition especially since everyone there takes it seriously. The written and spoken wishes are selfless and as Scott says many of our ‘uniting’ holidays are losing their meaning. So many adults feel this type of ‘sharing’ is ‘for kids’ — but these people are the ones who most need be more childlike & open their minds and hearts.
SBAs last blog post..‘Tis The Season For Bloggers Too
Happy holiday(s), timethief and fellow readers/commenters.
@frizzy
The same to you :)
Hi hi, merry christmas and happy holiday for you.
Cheers, frizzy2008.
I don’t kknow if I can call this a tradition, but since I moved to California 25 yars ago every Chrismas eve we drive up to the nearby mountains to see the snow.
I don’t know why but a Christmas without snow it is not just the same.
@ TT – I love your poem. You should write more of them.
@ Kobra – How can I get you to visit my blog? My English really needs some one like you
buddhaofhollywoods last blog post..Lost in translation. Part II
@Tony
Feel free to borrow this tradition. Other relatives and friends have also picked it up too. All the best to you and Cassie in the New Year and Merry Christmas too. :)
@kobra
Notpe I truly did mean “ken” as in cognizance: range of what one can know or understand; “beyond my ken”.
Happy Holiday!
@Scott
I love this tradition that we created together. It’s one of the things we do that creates unity not only at Solstice but all year round too. :)
Happy Holiday!
Well, you’ve inspired me. I think that’s something I’d like to do next year for Christmas. Thanks for the excellent idea, TT!
Happy holidays! :)
Tony Singles last blog post..A Message for You [Trottersville #91]
I’m pretty sure you meant “kin,” not “ken.” :P Unless you were referring to the Japanese word for sword, in which case I agree.
Kobras last blog post..Here’s a Connection Greyhound Won’t Miss…
What a beautiful tradition you have shared with us in this article. It brings to my heart and mind the magic and connectedness of Pagan celebrations. We live in an era today where the holiday season is fast-losing its meaning amongst the din of commercialism – and I say this as one who has chosen a career in e-commerce!
The holiday season is about Joy and Peace, no matter what your beliefs. Your article embodies this essence.
Scott Aaron Roses last blog post..Christ Consciousness