With the end of November drawing near, the days are short and the nights are seemingly endless and dark. By dinnertime, we are sitting down to eat with a completely black sky seen through our dining room windows. Looking out the glass, back porch door, we can see the glowing eyes of the ruminants, as they make their slow way from the pasture to the little lambing barn, that we built onto the back of the garage.
This afternoon, Farmer J made a fire, in between our back yard and pasture, from the downed wood of a tree, cut down earlier this week The tree was dying and J decided it was better for the tree to come down now, as methodically planned by a trained professional, than at the mercy of a blustery fall or winter storm. When the days are cold and the sunlight is fleeting, looking at a hot fire, and sitting besides the warmth it throws onto you, can toast your inner soul. The opposite of darkness is light, and when the light from the sun is less than we would like, or need, we have to create our own light.
During these seasonal months of darkness, we have to remember to turn on the lights of our house, light candles in our home and fill the kitchen with the warmth from the oven, with home cooked meals and desserts.
Gatherings of people also warm our spirits, the blessing of having Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years during the darkest days of the year. This week, we gathered around various tables, with family and friends, gave thanks and filled our bellies with good food and drink. The various homes we gathered in were lit up with laughter and light-hearted conversations.
At our own home, we warmed the kitchen with baking homemade chocolate chip cookies. We lit the house with candles, in every room, when we had friends over for a late evening dinner, so they would feel cozy, snug and invited into our own personal living space, after their long journey to our home. We ensured our farmhouse was visible from the highway, as the moon was the only light in the sky, with the porch light aglow and lights on in every room, to make sure our holiday guests could find their way to our bucolic bungalow, otherwise disguised by darkness.
This morning in church, they were candles lit as well. Today was the start of the first week of advent. Pickle, our youngest, stretched his neck to watch the pastor light the first advent candle on the advent wreath. Advent is the first season of the Christian church year, leading us up to Christmas. Just yesterday, the boys received Advent calendars from their Mima (Farmer J's mom), with the children excited to start the countdown to Christmas, and "Baby Jesus' Birthday."
Not only did the candle glow warm our hearts, but so did the music in the church service. After a impulse purchase of some classical holiday music, from a garage sale this summer, I realized something about myself, I love traditional (mainly English/Anglo-Saxon-no surprise there, for those who know me) Christmas hymns, carols and chants. With advent now here, I've had the song, "Let All That Are to Mirth Inclined" playing in my car. Click on the link below and see if this song lifts your spirits, fills your heart with peace and helps calm your mind as the advent season begins.
Let All That Are to Mirth Inclined sung by Loreena McKennitt
Soon, we will put up our Christmas tree, to add even more life and radiance to our home. Hopefully, you can take this advent time to light a candle, decorate a tree with memorable ornaments, cook some holiday treats, quiet your mind with music or simply reflect on the solitude of this cold and dark season, knowing fully, that after winter comes spring- full of new life...and light.
“Autumn is my favourite season of all. It is a transitory period that allows the earth to rest before it sees the harshness of winter and hears the promise of spring.”
― Kamand Kojouri
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