The Magic...

I have spent a lot of time today thinking about Christmas. Not about gifts, or shopping for them, but about the magic of Christmas. And wondering where my magic is.

I haven't done anything for Christmas yet. No gifts, no decorations, no baking. Nothing. Not a problem: I still have almost three weeks before Christmas is here. But, before I can get ready for Christmas, I have to find my magic.

It isn't that I am worried, mind you, because I know I will find it. I do every year. Regardless of what is going on in my life, Christmas will surround me and fill me with my magic. It always has. I will suddenly have the time and energy to do all the things that I think I want to do.

Twinkling lights everywhere. That's my fondest memory of Christmas. Twinkling lights in the sky, on the Christmas tree, and in people's eyes.

Everything looks better at night, with the lights twinkling. Christmas trees, cities and towns. Everything. I guess that, under the cover of darkness, the grit gives way to the twinkling light of hope.

I want to bake the cookies that warm up the kitchen and look so lovely on a platter on the brunch table on Christmas morning. I want to have candles everywhere and light them every evening. I want to see the living room with just the tree lit. I want to look around and see beloved faces smiling in the reflected lights from the tree.

A tablecloth on the dining table, Christmas dishes on golden chargers, goblets and candles and delicious food to eat. Christmas music playing softly on the stereo. Palpable excitement in the children's voices.

And the Nativity Scene that my mother bought for me, so many years ago, taking pride of place to remind us why we are celebrating. Baubles, and lights and sights and smells and sounds that bring it all back to me.....

I think it's here. In my home. And I just found it. The magic.....

It's in my heart!