We have just enough snow to make the world sparkly, carols are playing wherever I go and the community is filled with Christmas decorations.
It's finally December so I'm okay with it now. December is Christmas for me. It isn't just on the 25th, it happens whenever people I value gather and I'm lucky it happens more than once during the month.
There are traditions I love both old and new and although sometimes it takes a while for the spirit to hit me, there are events I look forward to every year. In the past few days, two of our community's celebrations were held. They were very different with completely different themes but both make the season brighter for me.
The first was Santa Claus night where the Maidstone Chamber of Commerce encourages people to shop locally hosting a fun night for everyone. I always enjoy taking pictures of the children with the man in red and take the time to visit with friends, buy some presents and support local organizations.
I'm glad to live in a community with an active school, dedicated community groups and a variety of stores and services. We are close enough to larger centres to be a bedroom community but we aren't. We are thriving and growing and support for events like the one held on the first Friday evening of December, no matter how cold it gets, demonstrate how strong this town is.
Santa, shopping, smiles and a sleigh ride are the root of popular seasonal songs and they do touch my heart.
A tiny church, several choirs, songs of peace, joy, love and the birth of a child bring us another popular event just a few days later. The choirs bring the stories to life through the songs. Readings and reflections offer a few moments to search for an older and deeper meaning for all the hustle and bustle.
This event is more relaxed than the first, both have food and visiting, smiles and sharing and I love them both.
It is important for me to see the different sides of the season portrayed so strongly and the carol service helps to balance me as I rush around trying to figure out what to clean or bake next, who else I have to buy for and what else I have to schedule in.
I love listening to Silent Night by candlelight and hold the images in my mind as the cold wind blows. Songs of angels, shepherds and the baby Jesus in the manger touch my heart, too.
I'll sing along to every song this season and hope the songs you sing bring you joy and warm you.
