Destination Unknown: christmas

Showing posts with label christmas. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Forgiveness, Truth, and Looking For a Sign

" In the end, I've come to believe in something I call "The Physics of the Quest." A force in nature governed by laws as real as the laws of gravity. The rule of Quest Physics goes something like this: If you're brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting, which can be anything from your house to bitter, old resentments, and set out on a truth-seeking journey, either externally or internally, and if you are truly willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue and if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher and if you are prepared, most of all, to face and forgive some very difficult realities about yourself, then the truth will not be withheld from you. " ~ Liz Gilbert

Though the quote above seems more like the perfect "New Year's Resolution," it sort of rang true for the Christmas season.

There is something incredibly therapeutic about the night before Christmas. For those of us who are Christians, our "Savior," the one we have waited for, is finally born. What is more inspiring than a new birth? A clean slate, a new beginning. That's sort of what we will all experience tonight. Peace on our little slab of Earth, even if it just within the walls of your home, or if your home is in an uproar, maybe you can close your eyes and find peace within. But it's there - yours for the taking.

Christ represents a purification of our spirits. We are told that if we believe in him, we will have everlasting life. That is the ultimate forgiveness. If God can forgive me, why can't I forgive myself.. for all of the mistakes I have made, for all of the hurt I have caused, and more importantly, how I have hurt myself by not releasing any guilt or anger I have held onto for so long.

Christ represents the ultimate truth. Regardless of whether you believe he is the Son of God, or rose from the dead, the truth is, he taught us to love one another, above all else. If we all just treated each other with respect and showed loving kindness and compassion, there would be the ultimate peace on Earth - thus.. the Ultimate Truth.

And finally, the Wise Men, who were thought to be three Kings from the Orient, traveled across the desert, following the Star of David (the sign,) to find the Christ child. Perhaps we should see Christmas the same way, a time to search for the signs that God gently reveals, if we dare stop to look and listen.

I hope this Christmas night (regardless of your belief system or faith,) will seek to forgive, look for your personal truth, and continue to quiet your mind and allow your "sign" to be revealed.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

How do you GET in the spirit?

Finding your holiday spirit is about as easy as trying on those jeans you wore in college. For some, it's simply Not. Going. To. Happen.

For others, you have to grab that wire hanger, hook it on that zipper, and pull with all of your might.

Today I made a point to research opportunities to celebrate the holidays. I used some local resources (Ovations365.com and visitmacon.org) to see what is going on. I suppose those sites were like my zipper. Me actually pulling out my calendar and locking those dates in, was me pulling with all of my might. Now.. it's time to stand and see if I can BREATHE.

I figure if I immerse myself in Christmas, something is going to stick. Last year, the holidays were an absolute BUST for me. But this year, oh this year, I have high hopes - even if the chemicals in my brain and hormones that flow through my system do not want to get on board- I WILL celebrate.

Hell, I might even go as far as to buy some "Christmas earrings." Oh yeah, and even wear one of those tacky-ass bells around my neck.

Well.. okay... maybe that's pushing it a little.

But my plan is a bold one.

I thought I would share with you my CHRISTMAS to-do list. If you are local, you might even get some ideas of your own. ;-)

1. This Saturday I plan to drive to the storage unit and find my Christmas stuff. I have not touched my items since Christmas 2010. THIS should be interesting. The good news is, Autumn will be with me, so I Santa has a little helper. PLUS.. she will help me put the tree together.

The last time I had my Christmas tree up - in Birmingham, December 2010.

2. Sunday morning, I am taking Autumn to have Breakfast With Santa at my church. (For local people- That's St. Joseph's Catholic Church. We'll be over at the school next door (St. Joseph's School.) It's $6 a person, and apparently they will have a huge breakfast spread provided by the Knights of Columbus, holiday crafts, picture time with Santa, a silent auction, and so much more. Food + Santa + My Auttie= Holiday love. If you are interested, it's from 8am until noon.

Photo credit: Unknown - This is my church.

3. At 4pm this Sunday (and this one I am totally debating..) Wesleyan College is having their Annual Christmas Concert. (For those not from around here, Wesleyan is the first school in America to grant degrees to women! If you are a Phi Mu - this is your home university!) It's an all women's college. I thought that might be a nice way to wrap the weekend up. Did I mention, it's FREE??!!

Photo credit: Unknown. This is one of the buildings at Wesleyan College

4. Oops.. I forgot to add, this Thursday night, after a 5:30pm meeting, I'm going to run over to City Hall/Rosa Parks Square and watch the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Downtown. It's starting at 6:30pm. It's FREE!

Photo credit: Unknown. Notice behind the tree - you see my church! Not sure what year this was taken.

5. Did I mention Friday, at 11am, Amanda's Cakery (downtown) will have a free cake testing eventing?? It is only 2 streets over.... and.. well... shouldn't we all eat dessert first? The flavors to try are "Sinful Chocolate," "Vanilla," and "Apple Pie."

Photo: The Telegraph. Amanda's Cakery Cupcakes are to DIE for.

6. Next Tuesday night (the 4th,) My former Theater Teacher, Sylvia Haynie, will have an openhouse at her performing arts school. It's called the Academy for the Performing Arts. It starts at 6:30. (Free) and will have performances by the students.

7. Forgot another event that's happening THIS Friday night, from 4pm until - The Macon Arts Alliance Gallery will have a Trunk Show. Oh yeah.. AND on payday for me. Lord have mercy...

8. Saturday, December the 8th - I hope to take Autumn to another scholastic corner: Mercer Village. (Mercer University is the cornerstone of this area. It's a private university in town.) This is a FREE event- Christmas in Mercer Village. 5pm-9pm there will be inflatables for the kids. 5pm - 7pm there will be ornament decorating for the kids. 6pm-8pm you can have you photo taken with Santa. 7pm they will light the Christmas Tree at Mercer, and finally, at 7:30pm they will show the movie, ELF, outside! Sounds like a perfect night for Auttie and I.

9. The very next day, Sunday the 9th, she and I can head over to the Middle Georgia Christmas Parade in downtown Macon. It starts at 3pm.

Photo credit: Gateway Macon - from last year's Christmas Parade

10. On Tuesday, December the 11th, I definitely want to go see Handel's Messiah at my church. (St. Joseph's.) The cost is $15. (But considering all of the free stuff I will get to experience leading up to it - no big deal, right?! It starts at 7:30pm.

Photo credit: My church

11. On Friday the 14th, at the Sidney Lanier Cottage (for those who don't know, he was a famous poet back in the 1800's.. this was his birthhouse,) there will be the Christmas Cottage & Bake Sale from 9am until 2pm. OBVIOUSLY I have to go. ;-) It's FREE.

Sidney Lanier Cottage

12. That night, on the 14th, the Macon Arts Alliance will have their holiday party. I plan to stop by that.

13. VERY excited about that Saturday night (the 15th,) one of my favorite theater's, Theater Macon, will have a Christmas Cabaret.. and it's a benefit. Bring a toy and the entry is $15. It's a 8pm.

14. THEN - Sunday the 16th.. *drum roll please* The Nutcracker at the Grand. Cost? $18 - $25 a ticket and it's the closing performance. Matinee at 2:30pm.

Photo: Gateway Macon

15. On Dec. 20th, there is a free organ interlude (holiday) at my Church (St. Joseph's) at noon. What a wonderful way to spend my lunch hour? My church is just a few blocks from where I work. Then that night, there will be a penance service.

16. Then on the 22nd, some friends of mine are throwing a Christmas Party.

17. FINALLY - Midnight mass on the 24th and that's all she wrote.

Photo credit: My church

What do you plan to do to get in the mood?

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas 2011

My sister celebrating Yule, or the Winter Solstice

Autumn's Yule gift from her Mommy (PS It's almost 70 degrees, and they lit a fire.. *sigh*)

Crazy Yule gifts!

Finishing up the Yule gifts

On the 23rd - she sat in front of the door for 2 hours waiting on the egyptian to arrive

For my more crafty friends - my mom painted and created a doll house for Auttie. Its a beach house theme.

She even painted mini canvases for the interior and used textured scrap book paper for the flooring...

Waiting to open presents on Christmas Eve

The egyptian getting an original piece of calligraphy for Christmas from my dad..

Christmas Eve brought Zombie Stomach Guts kit for Autumn. YUCK!

My favorite gift!

Goodies the egyptian brought me!!!!

Let's just say - it was love, respect, and healing!

My importantly - forgiveness. And that my friends, it what love is all about.

Christmas morning - Santa comes.. and Autumn is wearing her PJS from Uncle Egyptian

Merry Christmas to all!

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Ho! Ho! Ho!

I simply LOVE Christmas Eve. Even when times seem rough, some how, some way, the spirit leaks in, and just in the St. Nick of time!

Yesterday was nothing but lots of preparations. Cleaning, calling friends and wishing them well, watching Christmas movies, and just thinking of what the New Year will bring and all that Christmas is about.

Which is really what this post is about - the true spirit and meaning behind Christmas.

Yes, it's the celebration of Jesus's birthday and the fact that God sent his only begotten son into the world to teach people how to love and forgive. Sure, there's more to that story, but that's really for later in the year - and that's called Easter. But for now, it's about new beginnings, promises, and most importantly - LOVE.

That word has done a number on me this year. I loved working, I loved my apartment, I loved my friends, and most importantly, I loved my husband.

A few of those pieces of the equation are no more, but that sort of signifies what the world went through over 2,000 years ago. People loved their families, their beliefs, their way of life - then something monumental happened, something that would change history forever. Regardless of if you believe Christ is the Son of God, he was a historical figure and his life and message has shaped most of culture.

My life, like the lives of the Jews and Gentiles back then was running okay for the most part, then something amazing and life changing happens. Some look at it as a much needed answer to prayer, and maybe even a blessing, while others see it as a nusiance and obstacle. Regardless of how we see it, a Savior was born and he taught something so simple - "Love others as "I" have loved you." Kindness, compassion and a hope of a better tomorrow.

That's what Christmas is all about - and that is what I am embracing today.

Last night my Egyptian came home to me. Big hugs, warm smiles, and lots of laughs. We stayed up so late just whispering and talking and catching up. This morning we drove into town and did a little last minute shopping. We worked together to wrap the Christmas gifts, we talked with my family, and honestly it felt magical. Just what my soul needed, and that was the best Christmas gift I could have ever gotten.

Tonight, a dear friend will be joining us for Christmas. Most of her family has moved away, and I could not stand to think of her alone on Christmas Eve. We plan to have a huge feast, followed by presents, then I have both Taboo and Apples to Apples to play, and finally a trip to Mass.

God Bless each and every one of you. I love you guys and hope you have a most blessed and magical Christmas. Try to see it as a night of hope and anticipation for a better tomorrow.