Lighting up the town

Christmas lights and decorations always seem to appear before I’m ready, although long after the shops get into the Christmas sales drive. Admittedly we’re now in the season of Advent, which is about anticipation, but we seem to overdo it somehow. Having said that, I’m sensing an easing off in terms of ‘work’ and a leaning into more festive activities – work ‘dos’, lunches, present buying and wrapping, not to mention carols and end of year concerts (I have gigs of one sort or another for four days straight starting Saturday).

So, lots to enjoy, and a few reminders of the ‘message’ of Christmas, whether this be the purely Christian one of the birth of the Christ child or the more general interpretation of a time of peace and goodwill, now needed as much as it ever was.

In the meantime, nature goes into its winter slumber gathering life and strength for the rebirth in the spring.

Lights

Lights are appearing everywhere
blooming like flowers in spring 
illuminating grazing reindeer, polar bears 
Santa’s sleighs, and angel’s wings

building up an atmosphere 
fraught with anticipation
and passing strangers share the cheer 
of festive decorations

Santa strikes a festive note
carrying his sack
halfway up a ladder
or poised by a chimney stack

while hidden from noise 
the buzz of celebration
underneath the soil
next year’s new life
continues its gestation

Image courtesy of Rebekah and Flickr