Eve
December 20, 2011, 9:27 pm
Christmas Eve is the only Jewish style holiday Christians have. I’ve always been puzzled why this phenomenon isn’t noted.
Celebrations on the night of December 24 are the most important of the year for millions of American families. Yet the day starts out as a normal, ordinary work day for most of the populace. Stores and offices, banks and restaurants are all open, the mail is delivered, traffic is jammed and life is normal.
And then, the magical transformation begins. As the sun sinks lower and lower, the wheels of commerce start shutting down. The ordinary day gives way to a magical evening. For children, the most eagerly awaited night of the year is upon them. It doesn’t start with a bang or a sunrise; it just fades into a different aura.
I shouldn’t be surprised.
Buying, acquiring and possessing are huge values in America. Logically, the frantic, excessive shopping will be extended to the last ray of daylight. But the madness does stop, if only for a few precious hours. The peace is palpable. Time seems to be suspended, and we can all return to a place where meaningfulness still exists.
1 Comment for this entry
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Greetings and welcome...
The Suitcase Lady Blog is now in its fifteenth year. I intend to keep following the advice from poet Mary Oliver, "Pay attention, be astonished and tell about it". Many thanks for being the people I tell it to.
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December 27th, 2011 on 7:46 PM
Oh, Mary–this is pure, pure poetry.
Both in word and in thought.
evie