Today is the third day of our Holiday Blog Hop, and it’s Saturday! For many of us who work Monday through Friday, this is one of two days out of the week to get all those pesky errands done (shopping, cleaning). And this time of year we add all our holiday activities on top of it…like extra shopping. How many of us buy gifts not just for family but for teachers and coaches and babysitters and hairdressers, for grab bags and gift exchanges…and the list goes on. It can be overwhelming! Then there are the parties and activities–choral and band/orchestra events, plays and pageants, special holiday parties at work and other organizations. (I’m exhausting myself just writing about it all!)
Just when I start to let the inner grump in me come out over all this busy-ness, I realize it’s these activities that, in part, make this a special time of year for many in our culture. And even when I’m most stressed out, I know there are some events that bring me back to the center, to the reason I celebrate “the holidays.”
When I was a little girl, our church held a candlelight carol service every year, where all the choirs, from youth to adult, participated. We all processed down the big center aisle in our robes, carrying candles (battery-operated for the little ones), singing one of the traditional carols. The smallest children were at the rear, and I remember looking at that line ahead of me, thinking it went on forever, and how special, and honored, I felt to be part of the celebration.
Just remembering those services brings that feeling of “specialness” back in my mind, and for a moment I can exhale.
Do you (or did you) attend or participate in any special holiday events that bring you back to your center? If so, I’d love to hear about them!
Either leave a comment on this blog, or send me e-mail (leah@leahstjames.com) to enter the contest for a copy of Adrienne’s Ghost (10 to be given) and a $25 Amazon gift certificate. I’ll pass on the name of my winners for entry into the Holiday Blog Hop‘s contest for the super grand prize, a KINDLE FIRE!
Good luck, everyone…and happy holiday hopping!
Hanging snowflakes from the ceiling makes me feel centered and happy during Christmas time. It’s something my mom always did, “to make it snow” she’d say. Now I do it and I hope that my kids will pass the tradition on when they are old enough. :0)
Jesse
jesse(dot)kimmelfreeman(at)gmail(dot)com
What brings us back to what we consider the true meaning of Christmas is to purchase a single cupcake, put a candle in it, and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.
books4me67 at ymail dot com
Hi, Jesse and Books4Me :-)! What great traditions! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing those memories with me.
Every year my aunt hosts a party at her house on Christmas Eve. I remember being so excited about it as a child that I could hardly sleep the night before. Now I take my kids to eat. As a side note, one of the food “specialties” was and still is Geno’s Pizza Rolls, LOL!
jgbeads(at)gmail(dot)com
We drive around the neighborhoods looking at Christmas lights and drinking hot cocoa as we discuss the wonderful work they have done. Always makes us appreciate our special time together.
richnkathy718 (at) msn (dot) com
i gather with my family to speak about what good happened during the year
thanks you for the giveaway
all the best
isabelle(dot)frisch(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi, Janel, Kathryn and Miki – What wonderful family times you all celebrate! I’m inspired! Thanks for stopping by!