Christmas in the Forest

"I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year. . ."

The above words were spoken by Ebenezer Scrooge in The Christmas Carol, one movie I watch every Christmas Eve. I grew up watching it, and still enjoy the movie to this day.

Those words came from the written story by Charles Dickens. However, in the movie with Alastair Sim (1951) version, (my favorite) the ghost from Christmas Present says something like this: "Mortal, Christmas isn't celebrated but once a year, but every day of the year the Christ Child is in our hearts". I might have misquoted a word or two, but it's close.

Christmas is over. The shopping frenzy has ended; the backbreaking hours in the kitchen are over; the tree will come down soon; decorations will be packed away for another year; (hopefully to be displayed next year); Refund counters in retail stores trail with long lines like seaweed swaying in the oceans; and all Time returns to 'normal time' in the church; in the business world; and with us.

My heart feels a bit sad at its ending. When the calendar flips to January 1st, December's page seems lightyears away. Besides October, December is my second most favorite month of the year (both months are magical). So, when they are over, I feel sad at their departure. Like when your best friend moves out of town. . . Loss in the heart is felt.

Oh. . . but you say . . . it will return faster than you think! So we hope. I lost a friend over the Thanksgiving holiday. He was only 59. Died of a heart attack. Lived alone. Was found 5 days after he died.

So we don't know when an October, December, or any month for that matter, will not come around again for us to flip that calendar. Only more the reason for us to Honor Christmas all year, and let the Christ Child dwell in our hearts unhidden instead of buried beneath transitory things or unnecessary troubles. To let Him dwell unbridled every day instead of just on Sundays. To pray, and rest in His peace that passes all human understanding. For what else is there but our faith to get us through this mess we call life.

I'm going to let this Christmas tree painting stay out all year. Where I can see it everyday, and try my best to keep the spirit of Christmas alive, everyday.

This could be a scene from Anywhere National Park USA. I recently watched a documentary hosted by Kevin Costner on Yellowstone National Park. Did you know Yellowstone was the FIRST body of land to become a National Park? it happened on March 1, 1872. And since then, there are over 200 National Parks, land protected against pillage, all over this world! Thank God!

Loving nature, wildlife, and natural solitude the way I do, the documentary was mesmerizing to watch. It had me spellbound. I'm fortunate to have visited this park, but soooo many years ago, with my parents who loved driving vacations. I've seen many parts of this country thanks to them.

90% of Yellowstone is in the northern part of Wyoming with a small portion jutting into Montana and Idaho. But among the beauty, there's a big downside to this park. It sits on the largest underground volcano known as the Yellowstone Caldera and is the largest volcanic system in North America. They predict it to blow in some distant future day. O well. . .

Well. . . part marsh, part forest. Speaking of endings, Winter has just begun. December 21st, the shortest day and longest night, known as the Winter Solstice marks the onset of the season. But now that we are 5 days beyond that point, the Sun begins its northern trek up the ecliptic and the days are, ever so slowly at first, getting longer and nights shorter.

But Winter is here for another good three months until March 21. Winter should not be dreaded. It's a necessary time for the earth to rest, to feed the soil with fallen leaves, to trim the trees of dead branches from the blustery north winds. It's a time to hunker down. Sit comfortably wrapped in an afghan with a cup of hot tea or chocolate and read a good book. Or knit a scar for a friend. Crochet a hat for a child. It's a good time. A necessary time for the earth. . .and us as well.

Enjoy the season of Winter. Make it count beautifully on your life journey.

I haven't been out this winter doing plein air. Been there, done that, so many times that for now I just can't muster the 'want to be in the cold outdoors to paint' feeling. So I rummaged through photos I took when I did. This one is at the Morton Arboretum on a nice overcast winters day.

I've been at that park during all four seasons doing plein air and it's a marvel to behold each season. You'd think, ok, autumn. Autumn is autumn every year. But not so. I've notice a change in each season, no two winters are alike, no two autumns are alike. Mother Nature with her fluctuating temperatures, wet and dry days, and strong winds ever change the landscape, topples trees and affect the colors of leaves from year to year.

We who dwell upon this place are vulnerable with all of nature who abide upon her terrain. Change. . . is inevitable for sure.

This past winter blast over Christmas brought the scariest winds, temperatures, and wind chills I've known for a long time. We fed our resident birds and squirrels constantly. Shoveled frequently to make it easy for them to find the so needed food. I was grateful, happy, and amazed each morning when I saw them return after the hellish nights of winds and plummeted temperatures. God sure knew what to give these delicate creatures to survive such conditions!

I think that's why I love birds so much. They are not only beautiful, but resilient, strong, and brave while so fragile and vulnerable at the same time.

Maybe this isn't relative, but our fragile feathered friends enduring harsh conditions reminds me of something I read recently.

When you face challenging times and you come through them like a trooper, think of this:

"Sometimes we are tested so we can see the potential we thought we never had."

Outside my studio window I see the activity at our bird feeder.

Many come. Blue Jays, Doves, Cardinals, Finches, and many many sparrows.

It was lightly snowing this morning when I took this.

I asked God to bless all the birds and keep them in the Hallow of His Hand. . . as He does us as well.

For His eye is on the Sparrow, and more certainly on each and everyone of us.

Just look at that tail! A built in blanket.

No. . . I don't chase them away. They need to eat as well.

And. . . even the Coyotes who were in our backyard forest area last night, letting the world know they caught a meal, with spine chilling howls for all to hear their victory.

Thank you for being faithful readers this past year. I hope all will be well with everyone in the year to come.

God grant you and bless you with a healthy, safe 2023.

Painting and photographing with passion ~

Arlene