Christmas Countdown: Day 4

Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Growing up we had lots of traditions during the holidays, as many families do, including Christmas Eve with our family friends’ since our extended family was on the East coast. On the years we didn’t host, our family would pack into our VW vanagon for the drive over the river to the West Hills for dinner.

As a little girl, I loved when Christmas Eve was at our friend’s house, not because of their better toy and movie selection, but because of the drive home. As we came through the tunnel out of the hills and drove toward the river, I would start to turn around in the back seat in anticipation.

As my dad would start to soar over the Marquam bridge, I would stare out the window trying not to blink and then he’d be there – Rudolph with his bright red nose all lit up! There was only a few seconds when he was visible in his full glory so I didn’t dare blink until we’d take the off-ramp to I-84 away from Downtown.

All year long I’d ride over the Burnside Bridge and see the White Stag sign (which is what it used to read) like I did tonight as I drove Downtown for an event and think about Santa and Rudolph’s big night.

I was convinced that Rudolph’s glowing red nose only worked on Christmas Eve. No other night. I probably thought it was part of Santa’s beacon for Portland. My older siblings would insist that the nose stayed lit the entire holiday season, but I stuck to my guns. One Santa, one Rudolph, one nose, one night. Only.

After we arrived home and got into our PJs, I would tiredly shuffle from the kitchen to the living room with Santa’s special plate of cookies and carrots, plus a glass of milk. These would go on the side table next to the wing chair where I would curl up to read The Polar Express every year before going to bed.

“Though I’ve grown old, the [nose] still [glows] for me, as it does for all who truly believe.”

Christmas Countdown: Day 3

Larger Than Life

As the days tick by and we get farther away from the New Year things seem to lose perspective. Resolutions disappear, like change into the couch cushions, and we get back into our comfortable routines, no longer seeing the world with fresh eyes.

But, at this time of year, our eyes tend to pop open more frequently, like mine did tonight when I walked into the bar.

“Holy cow, that is the biggest tree I’ve ever seen!,” I gasped and, of course, chose the table right next to it.

I really wanted to climb it, alas I wasn’t wearing the proper heels.

This was the mother of all Evergreens (at least of the regular Christmas tree crops), just hanging out in the corner of the bar, making the whole place smell so fresh and so clean clean, as Outkast would say.

Maybe big isn’t always bad? Why not let moderation go on hold for a few weeks a year and larger than life trees, ideas, and jolly old men reign supreme?

This tree will definitely require ornaments the size of basketballs and soccer balls. It’s big, absurd, delightfully ridiculous—spurring our imaginations to think about what life would be like if…

Christmas Countdown: Day 2

Evergreens

Evergreens are taken for granted all year long until the last leaf of fall floats to the ground and they seem to be the only living thing left outside. I imagine on this day they puff up their branches full of green needles with a sense of satisfaction. So what if those other deciduous trees get all the attention in October with their sunseting shades of reds and yellows and oranges. Evergreens patiently wait for their glory days when they get to go inside.

Just like candelabras, Evergreens have long since been a sign of hope that life persists through the cold, dark, winter days. While walking to work today I saw a hair salon with a petite Christmas tree propped up in its front window, including just a few ornaments, along with a garland framing the windows. On the garland hung this glittery word: Dream. For many of us, that’s a dream of Caribbean beaches, but for some in those humid places, it’s the dream of snuggling into sweaters, warmly tucked inside sitting next to a Christmas tree listening to Aretha Franklin.

At my office building there is now a giant Evergreen wreath hanging in the entry, likely as of 15 minutes before I got there. While this one is imitation, isn’t it amazing that live greens can be hung on Dec. 2 and essentially live until the New Year? Sure, they’ll get a little pale and snappy (Don’t we all by the end of the holiday season?), but still hold onto life with precious recognition of its worth.

I think we should all take a few minutes this season with a naked Evergreen, whether it’s a Christmas tree right after it gets dragged into the house and laboriously secured into the stand or a rooted tree in the park, daydreaming about what it’s like to be ever constant, ever reliable, ever patient and ever green.

P.S. While I’m not ready for the Christmas carol classics yet, I did listen to Jesus Christ Superstar while writing this post.

Christmas Countdown

This year, I haven’t really been looking forward to Christmas and the Holidays with much anticipation or interest. And, with no good reason as has been the case in other years’ past. I shared this sentiment of disinterest while on the phone with my best friend yesterday and surprisingly, she agreed. Albeit, she has good reason, having a newborn (her third child) and constant houseguests in the last few months since he was born.

We joked that we would try to help each get “into the holiday spirit,” finished up some other thoughts from the previous 54 minutes of random conversation and hung up for the night.

While cleaning up my skillet after making fried eggs this morning, I noticed the advent calendar I received on Thanksgiving day and it hit me that today was the first!

After opening the little window in the upper left hand corner marked “1” and plopping that cardboard-tasting chocolate in my mouth, I realized how I could actually give the holiday spirit to my dearest friend for Christmas!

Let’s call it an “Advent Blog Series”: 24 days – one post a day. Each post has something special about this time of year. A new link to open each morning. And, no calories!

Christmas Countdown: Day 1 – The Season of Light

Today is not only December 1^st, but the fourth day of Hanukkah this year. At church this morning, a story was shared of how a group of people celebrated Hanukkah in the WWII concentration camps by scavenging nine spoons to make their own menorah.

Later in the sermon, the reverend talked about Hanukkah, Diwali, Kwanzaa, and Advent. What do all of these have in common? Yes, they’re holidays during the winter. And, they are all festivals of light.

Or as my family calls our annual celebration at this time of year: the “Season of Light.” It is a nod to all of these faith traditions, to what we culturally have in common and our universal relationship with the natural world. This year, our celebration will coincide closely with the Solstice – the longest day of the year followed by our return to light.

“We light the candles not to be out of the darkness, but to kindle our hope.”