my favorite time of the year – Page 2 – robin maderich – write-brained scribbler and crafter-on-the-loose

Christmas, anytime

Sometimes I wonder if I start celebrating Christmas too early. I really don’t think there’s such a thing, but yes, that’s me. I start thinking about Christmas in July, I skip over Halloween for the most part, and consider Thanksgiving “Christmas Prelude”. I think Christmas isn’t uppermost in my mind probably from mid-February until the beginning of July, only. And, well, I could be lying.

One thing to add about Christmas…

I know I talk a lot about Christmas and how much I love it…and I do. But the past couple years, despite grasping at enthusiasm and expressions to the contrary, I’ve been a bit underwhelmed. I suppose we all have. One thing I have noted though, and I take comfort in this, is the fact that as Christmas passes into the New Year a kind of peace settles into me, a belated spiritual cognizance, a harkening back to the way I felt in childhood. It is not a scream-in-your-face feeling, not one that would make me dance around the house and sing, but one that makes me feel rooted and warm and hopeful. I’ll take it. This is Christmas to me and if it’s not falling on the actual day itself, well, who am I to question how that ol’ Christmas magic works?

The point is that it does, despite one’s best attempts to lure it in. Like a faithful old dog, the Christmas Spirit comes because you need it, not because you’ve called.

New Year’s Revolutions

Yes, that’s not a typo, nor is it a call-to-arms. It’s merely a comment on how many times we make New Year’s resolutions with high expectations, abandon them, feel we’ve failed somehow if we don’t meet them, resolve to make new ones when the next year comes around, and round and round and round between plans and, well, plans gone awry. I, for one, have not made any New Year’s resolutions for many a new year. I recognized the circling inevitability for me many moons ago. I’m not saying resolutions aren’t a good thing, because they are, and the beginning of a new year provides a wonderful starting point—what could be so bad about that? Nothing, really. Not for many anyway, because I do know there are people out there who successfully make and keep their New Year’s resolutions, but not me. So, why I am writing this particular blog? Because I’ve made a resolution which, by coincidence, happens to fall on the holiday that brings so many of us to determined expectations and long, slow tumbles away from them.

Happy Christmas to All

Charlie Brown: Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?

Linus Van Pelt: Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about. [moves toward the center of the stage] Lights, please.

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'”

That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

Joy

If you’re in need of something uplifting this season, close your eyes and listen to this compilation of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 (Ode to Joy) and Joy to the World. Absolutely gorgeous and, well, joyful!

Winter Solstice

It’s cloudy here, a bit of snow predicted. I have been looking forward to seeing the “Christmas Star” and the meteor showers, but I’m going to have to content myself with photographs (like that’s going to make up for something that won’t happen for another how-many centuries). Still, the Winter Solstice is a meaningful time in many cultures and for many reasons. I, for one, recognize the whole “halfway out of the dark” thing, which is one of my favorite lines from the Dr. Who Christmas episode, A Christmas Carol. The changing seasons are precious reminders of the cycles of our earth and time itself. Whatever your sentiments about the Winter Solstice, I hope you’re meeting them head-on and with enjoyment.

My 10 Favorite Christmas Quotes

These are my ten favorite quotes relative to Christmas, whether from movies or television shows, books or, yes, the internet. Again, as with the movie list, they are listed as they pop into my head and not by any preference. I thought I might try to make this a little fun and see if any of you recognize where the quotes come from (some, of course, are obvious). Let me know in the comment section!

Ten Things to Do to Get into the Festive Spirit

It’s been one heck of a year. Christmas is going to be tough—which, really, should make this time even more precious than usual. I’ve listed a few suggestions for getting into the Christmas spirit. Hopefully they will help, and if you have any others, please feel free to drop them into the comments!

10 Favorite Holiday Movies I’d Watch Any Time of the Year – Revisited

I know I posted this list last year (or was it the beginning of this year? I do believe I might have come in a little late with it), but I am re-posting and adding another. So that makes it eleven. Yes, eleven in a list of ten. What the hey, there aren’t really any strict rules in listing your favorite things, are there? I’ve already begun watching some of them, which might mean I’m a sap, but I’m really finding myself in need of cheer. As I said before, I would highly recommend all of them. If you have additions, let me know. These are not listed in any particular order except as they came into my head, so #1 is not lording it over the other ten.

best christmas towns in USA — post re-blogged from Delusional Bubble

Now if only I could travel to all these places, I’d be in one glorious state of mind. I have shared this blog from “Delusional Bubble” who graciously provided this joyful list of best Christmas towns. Enjoy! I did.

Believe it or not, Christmas is closer to us than it appears! The second best thing to do after spending the holidays at home is to travel to a place where you can feel the spirit of Christmas and make memories that would last you for the years to come. In this post, we’ll talk […]
best christmas towns in USA — Delusional Bubble