Finding It

Have you felt

it

this holiday season?

That burst of 

Christmas joy

dancing to get out
or 

the quiet anticipation

you carry in your heart?
Or maybe
your it
isn't dancing
or quiet, but
somewhere
in 
between?

I must admit
there were years 

I have felt it

and other years

not

so 
much.

Not sure why

in those years I

found it rather

easily 

but in others,

I had to search.

This year, I'm

still looking, seeking,

yearning for that

inner joy that says

YES, it's Christmas.
Despite the decorations,
the special lunches,
even the advent candles,
I'm still looking for
my own Christmas star.

I felt a wisp of it

this morning when

I took Gracie out to

get the paper.....

It was still dark and

snow was coming

down softly, like

a snow globe. 

 I've lived through 

countless snowy 

winters, but falling

snow still makes my
 soul sing.  And suddenly,

I found myself

floating back towards

the house, pj pants

sticking out from under

my coat, feet stuffed

into warm boots 

and a smile on my face.

For me, it 
can't be found

in the big productions

 large gatherings,
shops or mailbox,

but in the small

things, if I 

remember to

see them with

my heart.

This little story

from Robert Fulghum's

Christmas Friarworks

sums it up for me.....


Uh-oh, here comes Christmas


When Sam was three years old he attended the Little School of Seattle.
Which met in the basement of a church.
And kept its general supplies in the foyer of the women's restroom.
Sam discovered this treasure trove one morning late in November.
Therein was a king-sized canister full of red glitter.
Yes.
Upside down over his head.  All over the restroom.
And down the hall and around the corner and into the Director's office.
But before anyone could mutter Oh-my-God-what-a-mess,
Sam sang out ~ hands in the air, laughter on his face,
You know what?  YOU KNOW WHAT?!
There's CHRISTMAS in the BATHROOM!

There's Christmas in the bathroom.
And therein lies the message.
Beauty, so said the ancients, is in the eye of the beholder.
And Christmas is and ever will be found where it's looked for.
Most often close by, most always very underfoot.
Hidden away in the cupboards of our lives, waiting
to be rediscovered in a rebirth of wonder.
Waiting to be dumped over our hard heads like blessing oil.
Waiting to be scattered like red glitter
on the walls and hallways of dark December.


Christmas will be found ~
In closeted memories, vision, hopes, fears,
half-forgotten songs and muddled stories of a
child of long ago and in the story of a child named Sam.


Christmas will be found ~
Even in bathrooms ~ by those who know how to see.

Have you 
found it, yet?


Where do 
you 
look?


Here's to a 
weekend filled
with Christmas magic,
whether dancing or quiet.


xx
Suzanne




PS:  Thanks for all
the wonderful comments
about the Christmas Rolls.
You can click here for
a condensed version of the
recipe.  Enjoy!
  


all images:  
Privet & Holly

Posted in Christmas