Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Where Are You Christmas

Last week someone posted one of the songs they enjoy at Christmas. I've been listening to Christmas carols since November 12th and there are a bunch I like: War is Over, O Holy Night but this year it seems different. I couldn't figure it out until I saw a bit of the Grinch last night and lo and behold there was the song "Where Are You Christmas" by Faith Hill.


And it seemed to express my feelings this year. Something seemed lost and I was wondering why I wasn't feeling the excitement that I love. Well, guess what my chickadees. It's food. I was missing those feelings of excitement that come with all the gatherings centered on food.

So just like CindyLew Who, I've come to realize that Christmas is more than food. Its the warmth of the lights on the tree which I finally put up last Sunday. It was getting together with my sisters and their kids for our family baking day. Yup, we made some good things although much less than other years. For dinner we had one of the 7 tourtières (meat pies) we had made that day and yum! My only disappointment was that I could only eat half a slice. A bunch of cookies and other sweets and treats but not many made it in my mouth. They sit in my freezer but I don't have the same compulsion to eat it all.

Last night I finished putting up a few decorations and tonight, finally, I pulled out my Christmas Plates. Last year I bought "A Christmas Story" series of plates and tonight I ate on the plate with the writing "Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house". It's cool. I have a set of dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, serving dishes, platters and mugs. It will always bring a little Christmas when I pull them out.
It's time to make Christmas more than the food. The sugar highs (and lows) will be a thing of the past. It has been such a big part of my traditions for most of my life. But this year with the band it will be different. My tree is in my basement media room (not the family room). We will probably not have turkey for Christmas dinner as it will only be DH and me and I'm thinking Shrimp in Garlic and Cream sauce will be much more band friendly. We will still host our boxing day family celebration with 25 people but this year it will be potluck. I'm not doing all the work. And I know no one will go home hungry. So this year is about some new traditions. Because it's different this year. The one line in the song that started me thinking was: My world is changing, I'm rearranging, does that mean Christmas changes too. Here are the lyrics to the song:

Where are you Christmas
Why can't I find you
Why have you gone away
Where is the laughter
You used to bring me
Why can't I hear music play
My world is changing
I'm rearranging
Does that mean Christmas changes too
Where are you Christmas
Do you remember
The one you used to know
I'm not the same one
See what the time's done
Is that why you have let me go
Christmas is here
Everywhere, oh
Christmas is here
If you care, oh
If there is love in your heart and your mind
You will feel like Christmas all the time
I feel you Christmas
I know I've found you
You never fade away
The joy of Christmas
Stays here inside us
Fills each and every heart with love
Where are you Christmas
Fill your heart with love

May you all find your own special traditions this year.

9 comments:

Amanda Kiska said...

I love the plate! So cute!

I hope you "find" your Christmas spirit!

Jacquie said...

I love that song Sandy and each year, the words have different meaning to me. It seems the world is always changing and than we are rearranging, right? I get the whole food change though, thats for sure. You take the food out of the way and you really do see things different, clearer, if you will!

Great post and great plates!

~Lisa~ said...

What an incredible post - thank you for the "words to think about" - your words AND the words from the beautiful song.

I love how you're thinking about this - and your beautiful plates too!! So Christmas'sy!!! Thank you for sharing - Everything!

Maree said...

Last Christmas our surgeon's advice was that it was time to think about different Christmas traditions which were about people and experiences, not food - good advice!

Barbara said...

Oh Sandy.. that song made me cry..
I feel like Christmas will truly bypass me this year.. I really loved seeing your baking, and plates and everything.. please post more.. I will not be decorating this year.. so I am thoroughly enjoying the posts .. yours and Jacquie's.. hugs to you.. and my heartfelt thanks for all of your kind words.. you are truly a sweetie..
hugs

THE DASH! said...

You'll get used to food not being the focus of big events, truly you will :) It does take a bit of getting used to but hey - at least this year there shouldnt be any top buttons undone on the jeans etc. Thats something to look forward to. :)

Gilly said...

Come to Toronto...I'll help you find Christmas! I think it's in the bottom of a bottle of wine.

Silverhairedgoddess said...

I agree, Christmas should not be about food... but about being with your loved ones, celebrating all the good things in your life!

I am looking forward to my focus being off food this Christmas and in all the Christmas's to come.

Theresa said...

Great post Sandy!

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