REASON FOR THE SEASON?

I’ve been running a lot as of late.  The princess is involved in Girl Scouts, a worthwhile community service group that exposes her to other girls,  and gets her involved in the thinking of others(always a good thing).  So since most in this area celebrate Christmas, I too, am involved in that preparation.  It’s not that I mind it, because gifts, food, parties have always been part of our home if not the celebration of what many project this season is about.  Many pagans also celebrate Christmas, some because they like it, others because many of us come to this path late and have been inundated since we were children and have come to expect it.  Nothing wrong with that, although if one listens to the faith that claims this time of year, it amounts to sacrilege  at not “worshiping” their deity.  Solstice which happens near the time of year, was a time for slaughtering the animals(so they didn’t have to be fed during the winter…very practical), the last feast of the year was had among friends, family before the long cold winter months set in and everyone was disconnected by harsh weather, famine…so too does the celebrations of Christmas happen, when we feel more charitable toward others, giving, sharing of ourselves, food, host parties, connect with family and friends.  Lot of love and happiness spread around right?  One would think so.  So why am I constantly hearing of people stealing from others, loud harsh judgments of people , based upon their lack of sheepish behavior at their lack of immersion in the whole “oh holy night” scenario.  Why get bent out of shape at that? One needs to be concerned with their own salvation..and yeah, that occurs even on pagan path, although probably not the way others might think.  We need to know who we are to grow and learn to love ourselves ..so for me, that is salvation of a sort.    I’ve seen too many on secular path who follow blindly without knowing why they do so, or even liking themselves very much, let alone loving themselves.  They are quick to point out the flaws they see, never seeing what they project to others.  So how can one love others if  they cannot find it with themselves.  I use this part of year for introspection, revamping, culling, of people, things, parts of path….sometimes it is painful, othertimes, not so much.  The thing I prefer to remember this time of year though is about love..it’s shown in the gifts I give, comments I may make, things I show others.  I don’t work this time of the year..mainly because I am usually way too busy running for school functions from when mine were younger and now for the little people.  I concentrate on what is within me rather than what others expect of me, and besides, in my house, there are always candles lit ~smiles~.  So why celebrate?  Think of it as a sloughing off of all that has built up over the year…things that might need tweaking, building upon.  this is that last hurrah before we pull inside ourselves and do a little seeking..an isolation if you will from all that would distract us.  The dark days of winter are traditionally barren, but nature isn’t still by any means.  While she slumbers, new leaves are being born within the branches, animals gaining strength for the coming season of rebirth.  So too, do we also need to experience that.  For me, this is the real reason for the season.  I choose to appreciate the starkness of self, the quietness of being alone, the building of new avenues of self, of my path, to cherish what I have achieved, and anticipate what is to come.