Slow down and enjoy the season
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/12/2019 (1261 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
I wrote about Christmas a few years ago, but it’s so intertwined with community and family that it’s worthy of a second look.
As I described previously, its origins are a blend of the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ with the more secular celebration of winter solstice and optimism for the year to come.
I don’t know about you, but we still mail Christmas cards to out-of-town friends and family. The internet provides lots of digital options but it’s still nice to open a paper card. And even though our children are adults, they still get a chocolate-filled Advent calendar to count down the days.
I really think it’s children who make Christmas so magical — from both a religious and family perspective. Recreating the excitement that I experienced as a child with my young children was fantastic. From Christmas eve singing Christmas carols at church to laying out cookies for Santa and carrots for Rudolf, and that look of joy on their faces as we came down to the pre-dawn glow of Christmas tree lights to open gifts.
In addition to the important religious event, I think what’s made Christmas so enduring, even spreading to non-Christian countries over the past few decades, is a recognition of the need to slow down and spend time with the family, especially as life becomes even more fast-paced.
The Christmas season usually includes the gathering of families at schools to listen to Christmas concerts, and at various community events. This year in Whyte Ridge, Henry G. Izatt Middle School had its Christmas concert on Dec. 5, and the elementary school held its concerts from Dec. 17 to 19.
At Whyte Ridge Community Centre, the winter carnival isn’t until Jan. 19 but I’m guessing the Dec. 8 movie night screening of Arthur Christmas got families in the Christmas mood.
St. Gianna’s Roman Catholic Church and the Whyte Ridge Baptist Church will both be celebrating Christmas, of course, and the Baptist Christmas Choir has been rehearsing since November for a mini concert on Dec. 22.
FortWhyte Alive had a Breakfast with Santa event on Dec. 14 and, starting on Boxing Day, will host several Frosty Family Fun Days until Jan. 3, including snowshoeing, snow taffy, marshmallow roast, and ice bowling.
I’m also guessing there’ll be family tobogganing on the hill by the elementary school, and skating at the community centre, sources of very fond family memories.
Whether you’re attending a church service, a community event, or a family dinner, this season is all about slowing down, sharing happy experiences and maybe remembering past events.
I wish you good tidings of comfort and joy over the holiday season!
Nick Barnes is a community correspondent for Whyte Ridge.
Nick Barnes
Whyte Ridge community correspondent
Nick Barnes is a community correspondent for Whyte Ridge.