Festive Fire

Winter's chill has finally settled over the earth, at least in the northern hemisphere, and the sun has wrapped itself in snowy clouds. The days are short, and the nights are long, as we vacillate between scurrying after Christmas gifts and longing for the comfort of our cozy beds.

But with Thanksgiving just over the horizon, and Christmas less than a month away, this should be a most joyous and festive season, not to mention a season marked by the deepest peace and radiant contentment. I say this because we are on the eve of Christ's arrival in the world. The fire of faith should comfort our souls because we know that God cares so much, He is sending to us His only Son for a brother, friend, and Saviour. The fire of hope should fill us with peace as we consider that God is among us. The fire of charity should thrill our beings, as we reflect on the gift of love made possible by God Who is Love.

So, I hope that while the fog lays low over the fields, and the snow falls from the sky, we all have a chance to sit before a fire, feel its warmth seep through our bodies, and ponder its symbolism as it dances and crackles upon the hearth. May this festive phenomenon fill our hearts with every peace and comfort as we traverse these days of the Advent of Christmas!