Saint Nick & Santa

“The modern American Santa was born in the Mediterranean, evolved across northern Europe, and finally assumed his now-familiar form on the shores of the New World.” ~ National Geographic, 2013

This reference to Saint Nicholas of Myra (more popularly known as Santa Claus), other characters such as the Dutch SinterKlass (directly inspired by Nicholas), and the English Father Christmas as well as some Germanic and Scandinavian folklore. 

the many renditions of a holiday icon

advent season

Many of us are looking forward to the end of this challenging year of horror. Even with the virus still raging out of control we find ourselves more hopeful with the advent of the holidays. 

This time last year few of us were aware or alerted to the news of COVID-19. None of us ever foresaw how far and deep the devastation would affect us all around the world. Yet as our world crumbled around us many resorted to more inspired ways of being.

homey Advent candles

Much as we love the holidays, Christmas tends to lose its magic and charm as we grow older. Participating in Advent may bring back that awe and wonder our younger selves enjoyed so well. 

The rituals and traditions associated with Advent are both ancient and fluid. Churches have observed Advent for centuries, but each congregation and individual may participate in different ways.

Many light candles each Sunday, telling a different part of the Christmas story leading up to Christ’s birth.

Isaiah 9:2

Advent is a gift. A time to behold the wonders of this expectant time of year. Embracing the themes of hope, joy and preparation we feel God more tangibly in his message of love and salvation and the birth of Christ.

Advent invites us to slow down and enjoy the hope and miracle that each day of life brings us. Instead of overeating, traveling, stockpiling — we fill our deepest interior with a holy presence.

We reset our internal watch to God’s time. We listen to the divine within instead of the constant barrage of buy, buy, buy.

Hope springs eternal in us

Honoring this time reminds us of the lessons in waiting, the joy in anticipation, the pricelessness of hope.

winter solstice wisdom

Winter Solstice is the birthday of the Sun and of the year.

It is a time when we experience the greatest darkness, when the hours of darkness are so much greater than the hours of daylight.

It is within this time of greatest darkness that the Light of the World is reborn, for now the hours of daylight will begin to grow and the hours of darkness will lessen.

Danu the Mother Goddess

It is at Winter Solstice that the truth of our Oneness is most evident, for the darkness that we face is our own darkness and aloneness.

The Light becomes most precious as we realize that it is through the Light that we come to love and appreciate each other.

~ Cathy Pagano, Stories of the Earth:  8 Tales of the Wheel of the Year. 'Winter Solstice'.

advent season starts today

Advent season starts today. What better time to resurrect this fallow blog? Two years after I had stopped and moved on to other interests, it is time to return.

The Latin word adventus is the translation of the Greek word parousia, (/pəˈruːziə/; Greek: παρουσία) meaning presence, arrival, or official visit.

Christians commonly use Advent to refer to the Second Coming of Christ. The season anticipates the Messiah's arrival from these different perspectives:

1. in the flesh in Bethlehem,
2. in our hearts daily, and
3. in glory at the end of time.

Celebrating Advent typically involves a season of prayer, fasting, and repentance, followed by anticipation, hope, and joy.

It is customary to put up Christmas decorations at this time. Advent also marks the beginning of the Western liturgical year.

Time for me to reboot this blog. This officially marks my renewed commitment as a holistic healer. Sharing what blessing and grace I receive with our online community or anyone interested.