Advent adventures!

Hi lovely friends,

We're half way through December already, and I am far from organised for Christmas. Is that because of so much traveling during November and the beginning of December I wonder... so that the Christmas season has sneaked upon me unawares? Or maybe due to an overwhelming amount of work, my next book to complete, the Essene newsletter to revise in order to create a tribute to our friend and Chairman rather than Christmas issue... articles and letters to write for magazines ( Spring issues!!) and new contacts to follow up, plus orders from the internet to process, and colleagues to meet.... and then babysit, take grandchildren to the West End, spend time with husband, dog, family and friends and try hard to get some shopping done!

Goodness, no wonder I'm aging rapidly!!! Please, don't get me wrong, I'm happy to work hard, and this is not a complaint. I just wonder sometimes at how I can lament the missing hours from my days, the missing days from my weeks and puzzle over how the years whizz by so steamingly fast, when it is through my own personal choice that I fill all my thoughts, and my time?

So, let me stop for a while and do what's really important during Advent. Let me reflect upon the real reason for the season.

Winter is traditionally a time for retreat, reflection and rest after all. The whole of nature knows that. The sap from the trees retreats into the nurturing belly of Mother Earth to rest and replenish in order to rise renewed and refreshed in the spirt of re-growth. The plants either die back or stop, and many animals hibernate until Winter has past. They do that naturally.

But Advent is part of the Christian calendar which, although it can be argued celebrates a birthday which was certainly not in December and which also ousted a pagan festival at the same time of year, is to commemorate the arrival of one of the greatest spiritual teachers of all time. Believed by many Christians to be the personification of God, born as man.

Advent is about anticipation. The Church has many rituals and symbols for Advent such as four candles - one of which is lit on each of the Sundays before Christmas. Some countries will have a special wreath and as we know children for decades have enjoyed eagerly counting down to Christmas by opening the tiny windows of an Advent calendar. (I so looked forward to my own glittery Nativity scene which came out each year and took pride of place on the mantle piece. As the years went by I knew exactly which picture was secretly hiding behind the windows and often peeped inside the double door to see the baby Jesus for the 25th).

At this time of great abundance, and over indulgence... anticipation - yes, waiting - has so often been replaced by a modern requirement of instant gratification... and a sense of greed seems to have replaced need.... But wouldn't it be fabulous to build into our daily busyness (without having to be reminded) a silent time each day for personal reflection. A few moments of precious time to reflect with gratitude for what we have already, rather than what we 'want'. A time to reflect on the important moments in life, such as happy memories and the people who mean something to us ... friends no longer present, yet whose presence is felt in that stillness. A time to reflect on what real love means rather than the price of presents, and the importance of giving generously of ourselves without looking for return or counting cost. How often do we reflect upon deep meaningful soul searching things, in the hurry and scuttle of the days in December?

So, here we are, in the midst of Advent, mid Winter. Christmas time again, already.

Many of us have had lots of hard weather conditions already and more snow predicted over the next few weeks. Yet in all the hardship the weather may cause, there is so much beauty; and an enormous amount of light. In every snow flake....we can see the beauty and light, glistening from the frost as the sun catches it... beauty and light, from the flickering flames of a log fire... beauty and light... and from the clear star laden skies...Everywhere beauty and light when we stop rushing and notice.
Here's a suggestion for this anticipatory run up to Christmas. Let's remember why it is Advent, everyday let's reflect even for a few moments on the true reason for the season.


Whatever your religious or spiritual beliefs, the teacher who was born to be the Christ and whose declaration 'I am the Light' changed the world, and gave a new meaning to the December festival we now celebrate, because of His faith and His message of love .

Let us add our own light through our thoughts during Advent, to all that we see, every glisten of frost, every icicle, every symbol of Christmastime.

My wish for you is that you will enjoy shining our own beauty and light into the shadows of the Wintery nights, and with an open heart in the true meaning of generosity your Christmas will be filled with giving and receiving friendship and love in abundance.

with my love,

Christmas blessings,

Chrissie