ADVENT CALENDAR – DAY 22
No matter what your personal creed, the real reason for the season is the Winter Solstice, the shortest day, which is why this time of year so many of the world’s cultures pull out all the stops with music, drink, evergreen, gifts and bizarre localized customs like the Yule goat (see my post of Dec. 3). It all goes back to man’s primordial desire to restore the sun and drive the cold winter away.
So whether you set up a crèche, light candles or get liquored up and leap over bonfires, embrace life, family and community and look to the New Year with courage, optimism and appreciation. Christmas is about nothing if not hope. And love, I suppose. Remember that the next few days when you’re tempted to exchange scowls with the person who cuts you off on the way to Christmas shopping. We’re all only human. But sometimes that can be enough.
Welcome Yule!
One of my favorite Christmas traditions:
One of my favorite Christmas albums (click “play all,” though you may have to be on guard to skip the occasional disruptive ad):
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAA2q_i2tCon6CepTgeL0n1UDUim8aueq
This year, the original Revels runs through December 28. Search under “Revels Nationwide” at the top of the page (via the link below) to find the Revels nearest you.
Unfortunately, the Philadelphia Revels, which used to be held in Bryn Mawr, appears to have gone belly-up. Back in the day, back in the day…
http://articles.philly.com/1989-12-15/entertainment/26159564_1_holiday-tradition-dances-christmas
It’s refreshing to see a Twelfth Night celebration scheduled for Boston. Contrary to what many believe (especially radio stations), Christmas does not end on December 25.