With December upon us and Hanukkah beginning tonight at sundown, we are long overdue announcing a theme for this most themed of months. We have thought of "giving," "holiday," "spirit," but everything seems trite and a little voice in our head keeps saying, "Step away from the car."
Perhaps we shouldn't be so surprised...
Beneath all of the partying, presents, shopping and food, December is really our month of mystery. This is the time of year when the ususal laws of earthly life are suspended in favor of the divine. Throughout history it is during this dark, communal month that mystery has stepped in, causing us mere mortals to stop, and look up from our Tiffany and Target bags towards the sky, like shepherds in ancient lands.
At home it is the time to provide space for this mystery. We won't name it or label it, but every tradition has a space in their home where mystery lives. Whether in candles, trees, stones, food offerings or pictures.
Even if you live in a 250 square foot apartment as we do, find a small space and let the mystery and grace of this deep winter month come alive... and then we won't have to give it a name. MGR
PS. The photo above of the northern lights reminds us that just last month a reader told us that he saw them from his home in New Jersey. (Thanks, Patrick!)
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Comments (7)
I think that "Step away from the car" is as good a metaphorical theme for December as anyone could ask for.
My calendar says the first day of winter is December 21...?
A friend of mine went back to Minnesota for a family funeral and saw the Northern Lights on the highway. They got out, waited for all the car lights to go off and saw them all around. She said it was beautiful -- like having some enormous gossamer gown above and around them.
There is a lot of mystery to December. There are more suicides this month than any other month of the year, everyone is expected to be happy but that also emphasizes any emptiness that surrounds it, including that weird week between Chrsitmas and New Years. It is really when the cold and wetness settles in, and the indoor and outdoor climates change, and, especially today, the days just feel entirely dark.
I think there needs to be a post connecting this urban darkness and cold, wet cement to any communal feeling of shepherds in ancient lands. My suggestion is to pump up visits to museums (the new MoMA does feel positively spiritual).
That picture is great.
How about "December, that wet and chilly month when the rain seeps into an invisible crack in your shoe and dampens your sock"?
Make some attempt to bring something celebratory and seasonal into your homes... a wreath, a candle, a holiday food... and take time to reward yourself with the gift of calm or time or quiet. And make sure the lighting in your apartment or home is right... to turn "dark and bleak" into "warm and cozy." I actually like the earlier darkness, because I love the nightime lighting in my apartment.
your post made me see a thousand candles in my home. thanks for the reminder