Holy Now

Last weekend, it was such a pleasure to take my 16-month-old grandson to the green house to choose poinsettias. He and his mom were as happy as I was to step out of the cold, into a sea of colour!

Over the years, I’ve shifted my attention from gift giving to celebrating the magic of this season through simple pleasures; a trip to the green house, lighting candles on a tree to celebrate the Solstice at a good friend’s home, singing in concert with my choirs, making something special to add to the meal I share with my extended family, cutting some greenery in the forest to make a wreath.

Where I live the cold moves in, the darkness settles and yet even in the contraction of winter, there are twinkling lights illuminating the night and a there’s a feeling of hope in the air that accompanies us through the time of darkness.

Some people say that the veils between the worlds are thinnest this time of year. I can feel the holy in the moments more strongly than at any other time of the year.

I encourage you to cultivate inner peace during the holidays by setting up a simple altar in your home.

Place white flowers in a bowl of water with a candle in the middle or put them in a vase with a candle nearby. Light the candle and spend some time each evening in quiet contemplation.

Create a place of peace in your busy life and you will experience important insights and a feeling of gratitude.

My gift to you is a song by Peter Mayer called “Holy Now”. Last week, when I first heard it, tears came to my eyes. I hope you resonate with its sentiment.