Christmas: the season of lights, the season of love.

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/