Category: Christmas

Carol of the Bells

Carol of the Bells – A Christmas Story – Barbara Heagy

Mr. Lethbridge is coming to our classroom today to begin our rehearsals for our Christmas song.

Every year just before the holiday season, the local radio station in the town of Galt highlights elementary school children singing Yuletide carols for the community as a special celebration. We all look forward to learning a more challenging song than what is offered in our regular musical program for Mr. Lethbridge is a trained music teacher that travels from classroom to classroom throughout the city to create a program for the public that he thinks we all will enjoy.

This year is special. Mr. Lethbridge is excited to find that some of the boys in my grade 8 class have hit puberty and their voices have changed. For the first time, he will be able to teach a song in 4-part harmony. He chose “Carol of the Bells.”

Day after day, we learn and rehearse our song. First the sopranos begin with joyful tune. I am an alto and wait for my cue to join them with blended notes. It’s exciting to hear the voices unite in layered harmony.

“Hark! How the bells,
Sweet silver bells,
All seem to say
Throw cares away . . .
Christmas is here
Bringing good cheer
To young and old,
Meek and the bold,
Ding, dong, ding, dong,
That is their song,
With joyful ring,
All caroling.”

As the music builds, the boys join in tenor and bass notes with chiming bell sounds:

“Ding, dong, ding, dong . . .
Ding, dong, ding, dong . . . “

Soon, we are a four-part human carillon, chords and melodies ringing out our Christmas cheer. The music builds and builds to a crescendo of pealing chords as soprano, alto, tenor, and bass, join together in a cascade of musical notes claiming the joy of the season.

Then, just as quickly as the music rises to an elegant peak, the melody echoes back down in a soft retreat of resonance, lingering bell sounds slowly fade and die.

“Ding . . . dong . . . ding . . . dong . . . “

The room is hushed. You can’t wipe the smiles off our faces. What joy!

Thank you, Mr. Lethbridge, for your years of service, offering your skills and love of music. I will never forget you.

Christmas Choices?

I was at a family Christmas event yesterday and I was telling my nephew about my busy life and how I feel overwhelmed at times. He said, “Aunt Barb, you are retired and have nothing but time to do exactly what you want and use your time for the things you really want to do. You are making choices to keep busy and overwhelmed. You don’t have to do that.”

He’s right. I need to zone in to my inner heart and prioritize my needs and wants. I need to “listen to the whispers of my soul.” Especially in this holiday season of shopping, baking, partying, and feasting.

Enjoy the holiday season but give your energy to those things that are truly important to you and not just expected by others. Give because it fulfills you to give, not because you feel obligated. And remember, there are many ways to give. Time is a gift. A Christmas card is a gift. A plate of cookies is a gift.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays to all.

Alone, Again. Christmas Grief.

There is a burden of grief that hangs on my heart this holiday season. I feel it everywhere. It’s in the grocery store as I go down the aisle, I feel it on the streets, I sense it in the air around me. It’s almost palpable. A tension, a fear, a sadness, worry.  I look into the face of a friend and I feel it’s heaviness as he faces a Christmas alone. I hear it in the voice of another who isn’t so sure what her Christmas will be like this year.

The pandemic had its own horrors and grief as we were all forced into isolation. Many of us sat alone, unable to see and hug our own family, our own friends. Many of our loved ones died, quarantined in hospitals or nursing homes and we were not allowed to say our goodbyes in person. Funerals became small and private or not at all, with only a public announcement in social media for most family and friends. We all faced that collective misery together but at least we were all facing it the same. As the saying goes, “Misery loves company.”

Now the pandemic has eased its stranglehold and things have opened up. People are gathering as groups again for inside events. Plans are being made for traditional Christmas celebrations and there is joy and excitement at the thoughts of gathering together once again after two years of “bubbles” and masks.

But there are those that are still isolated and alone as others ramp up their joy and holiday plans. Some still are faced with their solitude and absence. For those, life has not returned with its business and plans. And they grieve. And this year, I feel the grief has doubled because of what we have been denied the last two years. The pandemic has intensified it. Being alone becomes loneliness.

Let us remember those for who Christmas will not be noisy and joyful and full of people. Make that phone call. Drop off that unexpected present. Visit for a short time. Bring over that plate of turkey and stuffing. Share a moment. Share the joy.

Merry Christmas to all.

What Did You Learn Today?

This week I have been learning something new every day: Monday I heard about a seiche (look it up), Tuesday I tried a new recipe of Beef Barley Soup, Wednesday my friend told me about her amigurumi (again, look it up), Thursday I learned about The Golden Key, and now today Friday, I heard a new Christmas song I’ve never heard before, “Dominick the Donkey.” Maybe this month I will focus on learning something new every day and consciously play tribute to it.

As a teacher, I often would review the day with my students with “What did we do today?” I wanted it fresh in their minds so that when their parents asked the same question, they would maybe have an answer instead of “Nothing.” My favourite radio station CHYM with Brady and Tara does the same thing at the end of their morning programming. “What did we learn today?” Brady asks. I like it because I get a short outline of what went on that morning as I usually don’t hear their whole program.

So, what did you learn today? Or, recently? Enjoy the song!

Memories of Christmases Past – A Story of Frogs

This morning I had a Facebook conversation with a writer friend, Carolyn Wilker. She had posted a picture and comment about her Christmas tree and its decorations. We ended up listing the variety of ornaments we had on our Christmas trees and shared a little bit about the stories behind them, as she said, “Stories of love on our Christmas trees.” I told her that there was a story for every decoration on my Christmas tree. Here’s one of them.

Between 2001 and 2010, Tom, an old high school friend who later became my husband, was a part of my life.When I first started dating my Tom, I noticed he had a small collection of frogs in his home. I began looking for other frogs to add to his collection and bought him a colourful, whimsical frog as a decoration for our first Christmas tree. So began a new tradition.

Each Christmas, a new shiny frog was added to the tree to celebrate another happy year together for us. Each one was unique and different and acted as a symbol of our love and time together.

After six years of love, we were married. Just before our fourth wedding anniversary, Tom was diagnosed with small-cell lung cancer. Seven months later, just before Christmas, the cancer took Tom’s life.

We had ten devoted years together. Ten frogs on the Christmas tree are a reminder every year of that fulfilling love that I shared with that wonderful man.

Some Things Are the Same, But Everything’s Different

Well, the Big Day came and went. This Christmas, some things were the same but everything was different.

I put up the Christmas tree, earlier than I ever have, back in November, to help build Christmas cheer. I bought a toy Christmas train and set it up around the base of the tree. Every morning, I would turn it on and listen to its chug, chug, and whistle as its pre-recorded Christmas tunes tinkled out while I sat alone on my couch.

There were brightly wrapped packages under the tree but they had to be delivered early to family and friends at their homes, placing them on the porches and stepping back for a socially distanced visit.

Instead of the whole family filling up my home and beds with chaos and laughter, it was just three of us, my bubble. It made for a much quieter home, which wasn’t such a bad thing, but it sure was different.

I still prepared a table full of food for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. A turkey with stuffing was roasted and we said our thanks, hands held together in a much smaller circle this year.

Christmas morning we woke early with phones signaling a FaceTime call and several times that day we were on the phone opening stockings and gifts together. No face to face but a good second best.

I bought three small bottles of champagne for our three households and together on FaceTime we raised our glasses and made a toast to our love and families, those present and absent.

My eldest daughter made a very moving and heartfelt video for us which was delivered via social media. We listened in the quiet of my living room by the Christmas tree, our fireplace crackling in the background. Her love for us and pain at not being able to be together was so evident. We laughed and we cried, again, not in person, but as a good second substitute.

Instead of noisy board games with much teasing and laughter, there was a big jigsaw puzzle set up at one end of the dining room table, and with a full, quiet afternoon ahead of us, much of it got completed.

In spite of all the restrictions put on us by the pandemic, we managed to have a beautiful and meaningful Christmas. We still had the basic elements, the tree, the stockings and gifts, the feast and good food. Much of it was the same, but the pandemic made it all different. What was important and never-changing was the love we felt for each other. We just found new ways to share it.

A Christmas of Magical Thinking

Mysterious monoliths are popping up all over the world. A friend thank you, Meg Brubacher) posted pictures of this global news and asked her Facebook friends what they thought of them.

I told her I think it’s very cool. Just the distraction into magical thinking that we need in these troubling times. Who is doing it? I’m guessing artists and artisans from all over the world who are using their joined creativity for all of our benefit. We all need a dose of magical thinking.

Christmas is already full of potential for magical thinking. Santa’s global journey in a sled full of toys is pretty amazing. For me, the original story of a baby born in a manger, visited by shepherds and wise men is the most magical and mysterious story of all.

These times are challenging me to dig deep into my own beliefs and ways of thinking to decide what really are the most important traditions and meanings of Christmas for me. It’ll be a simpler Christmas, still with a decorated Christmas tree, brightly wrapped presents under its boughs, burning logs in the fireplace, and a turkey in the oven. Although family and friends will be separated, we will find new ways to connect via FaceTime and short outdoor visits. What I can’t give to my family, I’m sharing with others through local food banks, churches, toy drives and other initiatives. Thoughts of community, community building, and quiet worshipful time is adding a depth of meaning to Christmas for me that is accentuated by the pandemic and its limitations.

What ‘s most important to you this Christmas? What traditions and activities are you holding on to in spite of the pandemic? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

A Simpler Christmas

It’s only two days away and Christmas will be upon us. Each year I make Christmas simpler and simpler and yet I still hold on to many of my traditions that make the holiday festive. It’s not easy to hold back as we move through the season. Stores flaunt and push their wares. People around us are rushing here and there filling their carts with gifts and foodstuffs and often overextending themselves in both energy and money. I have had to hold myself in check and stick to a budget so I don’t get carried away too.

For me, it’s important to have a tree up in my home but I brought out fewer decorations and lights this year. It’s still beautiful. Gift buying and wrapping was finished earlier than ever for me and it feels wonderful to have the presents all wrapped and under the tree waiting for our celebration on Christmas Day. Family are coming for several days and I am getting the floors swept, the rugs vacuumed, and tabletops dusted.

I’m not a baker and so I felt very lucky to find a Cookie Extravaganza at a local church and was able to buy dozens of fresh, homemade cookies ready to share with friends and family.

For a month now, I have been attending lunch and dinner parties with small groups of friends as we celebrate our long-time friendships. It has been much more meaningful to take part in smaller, more intimate groups rather than large noisy parties.

I always seek out an opportunity to take part in some sing-along Christmas carolling and I also enjoy attending my grandson’s Winter Celebration at his school. This past weekend I attended a wonderful Winter Concert at our local theatre and have been listening to Christmas music non-stop.

I always appreciate the outdoor light displays and have been able to enjoy them over this month as so many have generously decorated their homes and yards for community benefit. The local town puts on its yearly display in a park and it’s tradition to go for a nighttime walk through the sparkling paths.

I’ve taken some moments to think about those who may not be having a joyful season. There are many suffering from past losses and I have taken time to write, pray, and share with others who have needed some extra love this season. There are many that financially just don’t have the resources to partake in all the Christmas buying and preparations. I have donated food, gifts, and money to others to add a little extra to their lives this holiday as others have done for me and my family in the past during difficult times.

Christmas crafts with my grandkids, and some minimal card and letter writing have nicely rounded out the preparations for the Christmas Day celebration. I have been busy but not as busy as I have in other years. I enjoy my traditions but have tried to not let them overwhelm me. We get caught up in the hustle and bustle in our attempts to achieve that ultimate Christmas that we hold as the ideal. I was in the library the other day and an older woman was complaining to the librarian. “I hate Christmas. All the gifts and wrapping and food preparation. And then there’s the house cleaning. It’s too much! I’m going home to lie down. I’m exhausted already.” I looked at the clock and noted that it was only 10:00 a.m. Why does she do this to herself?, I thought.

I hope that the Christmas preparations haven’t overwhelmed you. Try and keep things simple. Think about what’s really important to you and focus on that. For me, that’s family time. It doesn’t matter what we’re doing as much as taking the time to just be with each other. I also take time to reflect and refocus on ‘the reason for the season’ as I think about that little Babe born long ago. It’s a magical story.

Merry Christmas everyone. Enjoy your holiday time, whatever you do.

Advent is Upon Us

December 1, Advent, the beginning of the Christmas season.

Christians use it as a preparation for the commemoration of the birth of Jesus as they move through the next 24 days with hope, peace, joy, and love.

 Much of the world prepares in other ways. Little children use it as a countdown for the coming of Santa Claus and open each small door on their chocolate Advent calendars with anticipation and excitement.

For me, it’s the beginning of a season for stopping to think about my own spiritual journey and relationship to Christ. I, also, join the rest of the secular world in carrying on and enjoying all the traditions of this special time of year as I put up my Christmas tree, bake the shortbread cookies, buy and wrap the gifts and watch the Christmas specials on TV.

It’s a special season that’s for sure. We have 24 days to prepare our homes and hearts for December 25 and all that it means to us. Enjoy it. Take part in your community events. Sing Christmas carols. Read the Christmas stories. Attend the concerts. Gather together in parties and feasting. Exchange gifts with your loved ones as well as those less fortunate as you.

Whatever you do, celebrate in whatever way is most meaningful to you and yours. May all the excitement and anticipation of the season be yours as you keep your traditions alive.

Tradition

“Because of our traditions, we have kept our balance for many, many years.”

~ Teyve – Fiddler on the Roof

This weekend some of my Christmas traditions kicked in, helping to ignite my Christmas spirit.

I attended the Toonie Turkey Supper at St. John’s Anglican Church, Orangeville, where friends from the past gathered to enjoy a delicious turkey dinner with all the trimmings — a night meant to celebrate community and promote fellowship.

That same night, my family went downtown to celebrate the seasonal Tractor Parade of Lights. It was fun to be so close to the roaring tractors and big farm machinery and rigs all lit up with twinkling, colourful lights.

The next morning, we took the grandchildren to the annual Candy Cane Fair at the local hospital. For $2, the grandchildren were escorted away by an elf to choose and wrap a small gift for their mom, dad, grandma, or grandpa. This event is meant to help children get into the spirit of gift-giving during the holiday season and raise some funds for hospital equipment. Santa was there with Mrs. Claus for picture taking and there were craft tables and raffle tickets.

We went home again but only for a short while before we headed downtown again for the annual Santa Claus Parade with its colourful floats, marching bands and community participation.

Traditions are important. They give us a sense of belonging and add a secure rhythm to the seasons. They bring family and community together to enrich our lives and create memories. Through traditions, we reconnect with each other, find balance in our lives, and a little bit of magic.

What are some of your traditions?