Children will instinctively gravitate toward the largest box with the shiniest wrapping. But as we age we come to realize that the best gifts often come in the smallest wrapping. Yes, jewelry, but also the things that come without wrapping at all: a night full of stars, a gentle squeeze of the hand, a moment of perfect quiet.
What gift without wrapping will you offer yourself or give to someone you love?
It’s fun to see giant Christmas trees in glorious displays. But the soul of a Christmas tree , as anyone knows who has watched the Peanuts Christmas Special, is not in its grandeur but in the love that attends it. A small tree can glow quite brightly.
What small thing, done lovingly, brightens your life?
You can honor the solstice as the longest night of the year, or as the moment when the balance shifts and the days begin to get longer. You can burn the Yule log and turn toward brighter days, or you can cherish the dark.
How do you honor the solstice?
Santa’s magic crew of flying reindeer are certainly famous, and Rudolf, with his nose that shines through the storm, is the most famous reindeer of all. But even the non-famous reindeer who roam the northern regions are pretty darn amazing. Each individual fur of their dense coats is hollow to provide insulation, and their hooves change texture from winter to summer to provide traction in both snow and swamp. Magic is where you find it.
Where do you find magic?
Decorate your tree with a lace heart—a heart that is open, transparent; a heart that that is both permeable and sturdy.
How do you prepare your heart for the holiday season?
