It’s been a warm day today. A beautiful warm day. We’ve been over to our friends for the birthday party of their kids. When we came back home the neighbors kids were outside, having a water fight. Our daughter immediately joined them. While I watched them I couldn’t stop thinking about how different the 23rd of December is now than back when I grew up. A water fight on the 23rd of December would have meant hypothermia… here it’s a welcomed cooling off from a hot day. It’s what Christmas has turned into for me. Dealing with the heat rather than the cold. Heading to the beach rather than snow shoveling.
I’m not complaining. Not at all. It’s just sometimes mind blowing how much it all has changed.
Christmas was always also about silence. Sort of. It used to be busy in the town I grew up and still, with all the decorations everywhere it had a very calming vibe to it. “Holy night, silent night” as they sing. It’s what Christmas is to me. No matter the rush that might be surrounding you. Silence can come from within. So even if it’s busy out there, even if it is light till 10pm and even if the kids are running around and giggling and screaming while having their water fight, silence still is a big part of the lead up to Christmas. And while I keep thinking about the difference between the silent night in the snow and the silent night in summer, I’d like to share this Blast From The Past with you about the same subject…
