“Peace on earth will come to stay, when we live Christmas everyday.”- Helen Steiner Rice
“And we are better throughout the year for having in spirit, become a child again at Christmas time.” – Laura Ingalls Wilder
Christmas has always been my favourite time of the year, and it was with ease that I found a plethora of quotes – inspirational, humorous, beautiful sayings and thoughts to reflect this festive season. Christmas quotes enhance our celebrations with loving words, and send our family and friends touching messages of joy, love, and well-wishes for the holiday. They may also remind us that the Christmas break provides quality time and intimate opportunities to be with our loved ones.
Christmas Day, the annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, is celebrated religiously by a majority of Christians, as well as culturally by many non-Christians among billions of people around the world, and forms an integral part of the holiday season centred around it. The celebratory traditions in various countries associated with Christmas have a mix of pre-Christian, Christian, and secular themes and origins. Popular modern customs abound, and include gift giving, completing an Advent Calendar or Wreath, Christmas music, concerts and carolling, an exchange of Christmas cards, church services, feasting, parties, and the display of various Christmas decorations, including Christmas trees, lights, nativity scenes, garlands, wreaths, mistletoe, and holly.
Christmas has always been a time not only of rejoicing, but for me, also of reflection when I attempt to search for perspective in the year passed. And, what a year this has been with the launch of my fourth novel Lords and Lepers. My trilogy, a labour of love for my grandparents, was largely based on individuals I had heard of, knew personally, or was one of, since from its beginning, my intention was to write my family legacy. So then, if I were to pen a coming of age, social commentary about four girls growing up on the Manitoba prairie, could I achieve my personal challenge to create characters strictly from my imagination? Comments from readers notably, “Capturing the ‘everyday’ essence of people.” “They are always so full of personalities that are true to life/reality.” affirm that I did succeed. Thank you all who shared your enjoyment of my intriguing foursome as they matured beyond adolescence into adulthood over a span of thirty years from 1950 to 1980 on the Canadian prairie.
I love the feeling in the air as Christmas draws near; people are merrier, and when we engage in dialogue, many share stories about their loved ones until I become caught up in their anticipation and excitement about the impending holiday. Validation that once again my finest reward for becoming an author is the interaction with so many endearing people, a host of whom have now become friends, both personally and on Facebook.
Have a Merry Christmas, count your blessings, and remember, “In the simplest of moments love shines brightest.”
Corinne