Have you ever wondered how lighting a candle can make you
feel better? And there seems to be no better time of year for candles than
during this season, and yet this season can be stressful. For many, the
holidays are one of the most stress-filled times of the year. Whenever I feel
overwhelmed by a stress-filled event, such as the holidays, or interacting with
friends, family, co-workers, or even writing my next book, I step back and
remember how things began.
Just like relationships or the book I’m writing, the holiday
season had a beginning. It began with a festival of lights to chase away the
winter gloom. People would light candles and gather around the fire to give
thanks and to share food and laughter. Lucian, the third century poet, advised
that this was the time when “all men shall be equal.” By the eleventh century
people would decorate their homes and churches with mistletoe, holly and ivy.
The nativity play was common in churches by the twelfth century and Christmas
carols by the thirteenth. In medieval times, Christmas was celebrated over
twelve days. There was even a special Twelfth Night cake, decorated with sugar
paste icing. Baked into the cake was a bean and a pea and whoever found these
items were crowned either King of the Bean or Queen of the Pea. A fun and
festive occasion. In a season when there was little agricultural labor to be
done except the care of animals, work could be suspended for the full twelve
days and festivities were sometimes prolonged until Candlemass on February 2.
Imagine the idea of celebrating good will toward your
family, friends, and strangers for almost two months. What a wonderful way to
start the new year. Who knows, it might evolve into the Christmas spirit all
year round.
So, remember to light candles, remember the people in your
life, concentrate on the beginnings of your relationships with them and why
they are important.
Pam Binder
http://pambinder.com/
14 comments:
Love the post, Pam! We tend to get so carried away in the fuss and bustle of modern Christmas that we forget (or even don't think about) how it once was. I'm with you on your sentiment--wouldn't it be wonderful if that holiday spirit lasted year round!
Thank you for the reminder to slow down a bit. This is a beautiful season indeed.
That's quite a sleigh! Great post, thank you for reminding us of the important things.
Great post Pam. Thanks for sharing!
Enjoyed your post. The Medieval Christmas sounds perfect--if only it work these days with twelve days off.
I like reading abut Christmas history, very interesting.
Pam - I got warm and cozy just reading your post! I love candles and all things with Christmas lights upon them. I also loved the holiday history you relayed. Thanks for this.
Lovely post. It certainly is the time of year when you need to take a deep breath and relax and enjoy the warmth that even a lit candle can provide.
The holidays are, indeed, a point of light in the midst of dark winter. Thanks for the reminder!
Beautiful post, Pam. No matter the century, the light of a candle will illuminate anything in our lives.
Love this! The holidays can be stressful. Sometimes we just need to focus on the light.
Love the picture! Where did you get Santa's reindeer? Too cute! Thanks for the history lesson. Interesting stuff.
Great post, Pam. Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas.
What a touching post! For every shadow there must be light. Thanks for the reminder to stop and look at the flickers and flames available to all. Happy holidays!
Post a Comment