Christmas Tree

[poliphilo]

I think I'll get the Christmas tree out of its box.

It doesn't seem long since I last put it away. Hell- they don't make years as long as they used to.

It looks like it's going to be twilight all day long and I feel the need for sparkly things.

In the film I watched yesterday these Polish people were going to Midnight Mass. How comforting to be a Catholic in a Catholic country! To feel the sparkle as something not merely applied but as a deep, deep thing that wraps you round.

I've been asking myself what- if anything- I'm celebrating this year. And the answer is I don't really know and I don't think it matters. Christmas is older than any religion.

The world is full of snow and wolves but we have fire.

Throw on another log. Watch the sparks fly.

Comments

[kaysho.livejournal.com]

When I was a pup, one of our childhood accomplishments was when we were old enough to be considered worthy of attending Midnight Mass. The atmosphere in the church without sunlight coming through the windows is magical, and enhances the great pouring-on of Christmas ritual.

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

Beautifully said and exactly true for me, too.

And the staying up late with the grownups! As if admitted into a time of great secrets.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I was an Anglican/Episcopalian- not exactly the same thing as being a Catholic (less tradition, less authoritas) but the architecture and ritual are similar.

The lights are out. Everyone in the body of the church holds an unlit candle. A child's voice sounds in the West:

Once in Royal David's City....

And the first candle is lit.

The choir processes slowly down the aisle and a tide of light comes with them as candle is lit from candle.