Christmas candles…
“A Christmas candle is a lovely thing; it makes no noise at all, but softly gives itself away; while quite unselfish, it grows small.”-Eva K. Logue
Good morning! When my daughter was eight years old, she created a wonderful tradition. Seemingly out of the blue, Samantha asked if I would take her to the store so she could get some “supplies.” When we left the store, we had twenty-five glass votive holders and twenty-five candles.
When we arrived home, I still wasn’t sure of Samantha’s plans. (She insisted it be a surprise.) She cleared an area of the side table in our dining room and set each votive, with a candle, in a line. Then she sat down at the table and stared at them, while studiously writing some notes. The next day she invited us all in and lit the first candle declaring, “This candle is for peace.” The next day, she lit both the first and second candle. Each day she lit another candle in addition to the previous candles, as she added to the “traits” she wanted to remember during the holiday season. As Christmas Eve neared, this grew into a twenty-minute daily routine, which helped us all to truly slow down and remember what the season was all about. On Christmas Day, we lit a large candle and let all the candles burn for the day of celebration.
Here is the original list of Samantha’s candle representations at age eight years old:
- Peace
- Joy
- Love
- Gratitude
- Giving
- Listening
- Hope
- Harmony
- Growth
- Understanding
- Health
- Trust
- Those we have lost
- Compassion
- To Cherish
- Sharing
- Serenity
- Freedom
- Life
- Friends
- Spirit
- Faith
- Family
- Celebration
- Jesus
Your Turn: Create your own list of holiday traits. Make a special page in your journal and add one trait per day throughout the season.
Today’s Affirmation: I take time to remember and reflect on the reason for the season.
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December 16th, 2008 at 9:40 am
That was so heartwarming to read. Brought tears to my eyes that one so young could be so aware and thoughtful. Very inspiring.
December 16th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Brooke,
Thanks for sharing this. Your daughter is amazing. This is powerful. I think I will use this in my Advent celebration - finishing the last 10 days and then including it in my things to add to my 2009 celebration, if that’s okay with you. Merry Christmas.
-Maggie-
December 17th, 2008 at 10:38 am
Wow, what an intuitive child!! What a good job you have done with her! It is so disheartening to see so many self-centered children. We all need the Christmas spirit year round.
Hope your birthday was one to remember!
December 19th, 2008 at 1:16 am
[…] Brook Noel wrote an interesting post today onChristmas candlesâ?¦Here’s a quick excerptThe next day, she lit both the first and second candle. Each day she lit another candle in addition to the previous candles, as she added to the “traits” she wanted to remember during the holiday season. As Christmas Eve neared, … […]
December 19th, 2008 at 7:18 am
Thanks for the feedback gals. You bet you can add this to your list Maggie–I encourage everyone to give this a try–it is really powerful.I have a pic of her next to all the lit candles that I hope to upload. Merry Christmas to all.