The thing I do Christmas Eve is go to church. I'm in the choir so I attend both services. We have a very fine choir and our genius music director always finds the loveliest things to sing. This year one stand out is "The Shepherd's Carol" by Bob Chilcott.

https://youtu.be/wQfBFIv68ms?si=g75JlPJXThDYGJfE

Returning to Christianity from 30+ years of Wicca I realized that the seasonal cycles are preserved there, it's just that few realize it. The earliest setting of Christmas on Dec. 25th is from 336 AD when Constantine set the date around the time of the Winter solstice, co-opting the traditional celebrations of the time.

We will never lose our connections to natural cycles. Some things are too deeply embedded to be reasoned away. I'm with Dostoevsky on this: "What does reason know? Reason only knows what it has succeeded in learning...[but] human nature acts as a whole, with everything that is in it, ...and, even if it goes wrong, it lives. (https://www.gutenberg.org/files/600/600-h/600-h.htm#chap08). Christianity is syncretic of Hellenism and Judaism, maintaining much more of Hellenic mysticism than many Christians want to admit. For me though that is what makes it beautiful. By taking part in the mystery of the Eucharist I become embedded in the story.

One of my choir friends invited me to Christmas dinner at his place between services. The two of us have lived very different lives so we find a lot to talk about. So I even have that this year; friendship. And I'm still on the correct side of the grass.

How bad could life be?

God bless you and your family. I'm sure I don't have to say, "Enjoy those magical creatures," because of course you will.