Sunday, December 27, 2009

Silent Night

The holiday season is full of hustle and bustle. Rushing around Christmas Eve services (yes, services plural), Christmas with my mom's family, Christmas with my dad's family, after Christmas shopping and tons of cooking and baking. I had a great few days of celebrations, but right now is the time that I like: the afterglow of a slight holiday hangover. I don't exactly like the hangover feeling. Too much food is too much food and there is no pretty way to spin that one. But it's the quiet I like. The quiet of the world. Everyone comes home for the holidays. I sat in the living room by the tree Christmas Eve night, because let's face it, I'm a child, and I just sat there. Mesmerized by the lights (see? I'm a child.) and the excitement. But mostly I was aware of the silence. There is something really special to me about that kind of silence. Right now, I'm at Sonya's apartment spending time with my sisters. Sonya is sitting on her new bean bag chair, which is actually her first bean bag chair ever. We are all pretty excited about this one. Meagan is talking on the phone and being super cute whilst doing so. She is also playing with my hair, which is really sweet of her. Sonya has a bunch of candles lit so the place smells like Christmas. The radiators are boiling and bubbling and making those weird noises that they do. But I like it. It's cozy. To me, this is better than Christmas parties, holiday hoedowns and big family get together things. I'm spending time with my girls and it doesn't get too much better than that.
Though, if you threw in a gigantic cup of coffee, a book and a super comfy chair there might be a tie.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Jingle Bells

Christmas is one of my favourite holidays. I love the smells of cookies baking, hot chocolate, coffee, Yankee candles, and snow. And yes, snow DOES have a smell! I love that everyone is playing Christmas music--even the secular radio stations! Sure, you'll hear the traditional "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," but you will also hear "O Come, All Ye Faithful" and "Silent Night." And to me, that is one of the best things about Christmas. It is once a year that the entire world proclaims that in a little town in Bethlehem the Savior of the world was born.
The other day (now, it's been about two weeks now) I wore my jingle bell bracelet. It is my one piece of holiday jewelry and I love it! The kids in high school hated me for wearing it. Every move I make, this thing jingles. It's not too loud and obnoxious, but everyone knows when I'm in the room! I noticed it most when I was driving. I had a bit of a crazy day and was running all over the place. But in my car, when I was listening to the world proclaim the birth of the Savior it won't recognize any other time of the year, my jingle bells sounded like hope, tinkling with every turn I made. What if, instead of an angel getting it's wings, a person came to know to true meaning of Christmas every time a bell rang? What a thought!
May you 'jingle all the way' to the manger this Christmas season!