Our traditions have built one upon another over the years. They have grown up with us from the natural rhythms in our days and years. Ccelebration is an opportunity to revel in what is precious to us. We try our best to bring celebration into every day, but there is a need for a time when the work of working is less.
For us, that time is Yuletide. Our Yuletide encompasses the space from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day. Thanksgiving starts us off with gratitude: for each other, for the work accomplished in the past seasons, for the fullness of cupboards and warmth of blankets, for this time to be alive together. We focus a lot on local nature, history and foods. We think about our farmers and enjoy the offerings available here in our own little corner of the planet. Thanksgiving weekend we cut our tree at a local farm and start decorating our house for Solstice and Christmas.
I paint the children an advent calendar with a winter scene each year; they take turns finding the chocolate behind the little doors each day. We also have an activity advent garland that lists the little things we will do each day to enjoy the season.
Our decorations are simple: holiday/winter books ( various winter holidays) and nature from our yard. When we celebrate Solstice and Christmas we are celebrating the magical patterns of miracles in the natural, divine and human realms.
All of our celebrations are simple. There is an ease to them as they have arisen naturally from our unique lives. Tradition and ritual allow a pause and a nod to what is sacred to us, specifically. New Years Day serves as a quiet start to the big work of the new year.
May 2017 be full of peace and good cheer.