'Tis the season

Before you think I've truly lost my marbles, take a breath and keep reading.

The season spoken of by Charles Dickens in A Christmas Carol is not truly upon us, but it won't be long. Instead, one might say that for those involved in the retail business, the magical season has already arrived, or at least is showing signs of peeking out from beneath the covers. To be sure, there are only 10 weeks left until Christmas Day, and the next few months will be increasingly filled with shoppers cramming their way into the modern-day cathedrals we call shopping malls.

Imagine my surprise when I chanced upon a couple who were standing today in front of a colossal pile of christmas cards, flipping through the myriad boxes and tossing most of them aside. Pictures of snow-covered fields, merrily-decorated Christmas trees, and all manner of 'cute' animals dressed appropriately in winter attire were cast aside. I couldn't help asking whether they were looking for a certain type of picture, and the answer came back, 'We found one box with a picture of the Holy Family, but there don't seem to be any more'.

Wow, someone who still understands what Christmas is all about!

As the conversation continued I found out that this couple usually purchase religious-themed cards to send, but also some relatively non-descript ones which can be sent to other friends and aquaintences for whom Christmas might not have quite the same connotations, and even some 'Christmas letters' which are sent to others. 'Are the letters,' I wondered, 'destined for those to whom this couple have more to say about how much they love the recipents, value their friendships, and anticipate fondly the next moment when they will actually be able to visit?'

For many of us, rituals come to the fore as we prepare for Advent and Christmas. Some traditions have deep roots and others are created anew each year, depending on where we find ourselves and the people who surround us. Like unspoken prayers, these tradtions can often provde a window into the heart of those who prepare well for the celebration of this upcoming season.