If on a winter's night....

A few weeks or so ago I was sitting between my Celestion speakers, recovering from the swine flu, and otherwise doing nothing but listening to the divine sounds of Sting and friends. Some sounds are so pure and haunting that they are able to stop us in our tracks. How fragile we are. Sting talks about winter in a primal soul searching way. It is his favorite season. A time for true reflection and contemplation. I searched his nowabouts on the internet, and discovered he was playing a winter concert at Cathederal Church of St John the Divnine in NYC in a few days. If it hadn't been sold out, and I was not still sick, I likely might have jumped in my car and driven the 8 hours to light a candle in that incredible setting. Instead, I ordered the CD on Amazon. It arrived in the middle of a blizzard. And with a slice of solstice cake and cup of jingle java from my favorite coffee shop, I again settled between the speakers to revel in the soul searching of winter, and the setting sun, howling wind, and early dark of late afternoon.
Now it is the morning of Christmas Eve.The shortest day - and longest night - have come and gone. My new Maine house is full of Christmas and the scent of cinnamon and oranges and balsam. Corrina arrived from New York last night, along with her new companion Alvy the cat.  Winter in Maine. Our new snow shoes hang ready in the mud room - near the piles of mittens, hats, scarves, boots, and gloves. I am luxuriating in a string of days off with nothing to do but rest, eat well, enjoy good company, play games, read books, make music........   Truly reveling in a slower pace. Sliding into the holidays was somehow markedly different this year. Two weeks ago I was done shopping and my presents were wrapped. The tree was less hassel, tho no less beautiful in this northern home. I opted to forego baking and making candy until last night...and will only make what feels fun and enticing while Corrina is here.
Oddly, the year that I move to Maine, Virginia has gotten walloped with snow, and will have a far whiter Christmas than my corner of Maine. Oh we do have a few inches. The inland lakes are mostly frozen, and the first over-eager ice boater has crashed through the ice and drowned. But the sun will shine today and tomorrow, the temperatures rising above freezing. My new snow shoes will have to wait.
Wait. Wonder. Walk. Wooly. Winter.
Candlelight. It seems to capture all of the calming and contemplative grace of winter. We light candles for those in harm's way. We light candles to measure our sense of awe and wonder. Because it is simple and beautiful and warm. Because the face across the table glows in it's aura. Because our food tastes better - and more celebratory. Our traditions, new and old, circle us in a sense of time of wondering and caring.......for others, for the simple things that sustain us, for sharing the awe and wonder of family, old friends, and new years. The inward and spiritual filling of our souls and taking time to know ourselves and others - and to grow within as we wait for the rejuvenating winds of spring. 
Light a candle...........and Celebrate!