I did it! I managed to maintain my composure. I kept to my Advent routine of lighting my advent wreath each day as I prayed with scripture and I followed through with the Jesse tree by adding an ornament each day until Christmas Eve – this ritual included the O Antiphons as well. I finally picked up my Christmas tree on Christmas Eve eve and it didn’t make its way into my house until the afternoon of Christmas Eve.
This Christmas was much different for me – I think it’s the first time in my entire life that I spent it alone – my husband and I had no company and we declined all invitations. Despite everyone’s concern that we were going to be “alone” for Christmas, we didn’t see it as something negative. I actually saw it as an opportunity to remain focused – focused on the true meaning of Christmas. I woke up on Christmas Eve excited about the usual cooking, cleaning and decorating, only this time I was preparing my home for our Lord and Savior. I don’t think it’s possible to express, in words, the excitement, anticipation and joy I felt in my heart on Christmas Eve. There was even a sense that I wasn’t going to finish it all in time, that it wasn’t going to be good enough or grand enough for the newborn King! In the end, I did finish in time and I found it all to be satisfactory.
As I sat back and took it all in, one word came to mind: TRANSFORMATON! My four week journey through Advent culminated in total transformation on Christmas Day. Transformation of heart and mind, transformation of customs and traditions, transformation of decor and a transformation of natural materials.
The transformation of heart and mind came through my reading, prayer and meditations for the season. It not only deepened my relationship with God, but it opened my mind and resulted in an increased awareness of customs, symbols and traditions I didn’t know enough about.
The transformation of customs and traditions came as a result of my increased knowledge and awareness. I have decided to make meaningful changes to some of my own customs and traditions. This is the first year I actually “waited” for Christmas and enjoyed Christmas Eve as the beginning of a season as opposed to the end of a season. From now on I will begin my decorating on Christmas Eve – which will include a “ceremonial” replacement of the Jesse tree with a Christmas tree. The transformation of decor came when I replaced my normal fall decorations with evergreens, lights, holiday candles, nativity scenes and meaningful ornaments.
Taking our cue from the show Alaska: The Last Frontier, my husband and I decided to make gifts for one another this year – so we transformed pieces of nature into works of art. His homemade gift to me brought me to tears because of the thought and effort that went into it. It was simple yet profound in sentiment. My homemade gift left him speechless for the same reasons. The gifts cost nothing more than time yet they meant so much and will be cherished for years to come.
Along with the birth of Jesus, for us, this Christmas brought the birth of many new customs and traditions – most importantly it brought about the birth of transformation – a transformation that started in my heart and continued to pump through my veins and into every aspect of my life. This was, by far, one of the best Christmases I have ever experienced. In its simplicity it had the power to produce colossal transformation. The lesson here: Never underestimate the POWER of simplicity, solitude and waiting! God bless you!
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