It's a cold December night and I am curled up on the chaise-lounge with my laptop, sipping a gingerbread hot chocolate and writing this blog-post by the twinkling light of my pretty Yuletide tree. The Christmas candles are burning, filling the house with the scent of ginger and spiced clementine. It's the end of a very festive week and so today I decided to put up all the decorations and make my home as cosy and festive as possible.
On Wednesday my mother and I went to see The Angels Are Coming event at Sheffield Cathedral and it was wonderful. The entire building was the canvas for a festive sound and light show, with magical scenes of winter being projected onto the stonework, both inside and out. First of all Father Christmas flew across in his sleigh, pulled by all his reindeer and dropping presents as he flew by.
Next, to the strains of the Holly and the Ivy, those same plants grew up from the ground and twisted into festive wreaths and garlands, before making way for golden bells and trumpets playing, announcing the arrival of the Angels. As the music changed again to the sound of choirs of angels singing, feathers began to fall - first just one or two, then the whole cathedral was covered in them. Beautiful white feathers - a sure sign that angels are near!
Finally, the Angels themselves descended from on high, flying down from the church spire and across the building in all directions, their majestic wings beating as they went. It was just so beautiful to watch. Everyone had beaming smiles on their faces and it really did feel like we were in the presence of angels.
Inside the cathedral was all lit up too. The angel music continued and there were two huge Christmas trees on either side of the altar space, with a large steel-cast statue of the Nativity scene in the center. Another angel was projected just above, his wings of light gently beating as he hovered over the Nativity. The cathedral walls and Gothic arches were covered in a light show of dark blue sky and silver stars, which reminded me of the great hall at Hogwarts! We were indoors and out of the chill but still underneath a sparkling winter's night sky.
The magic of Yuletide was all around us. The Cathedral was welcoming all people of all faiths to this event and there was a very diverse mix, of all ages. People were lighting candles and making wishes or remembering loved ones. Some were writing their needs and troubles in the prayer book, or on labels to hang on the special Christmas tree that had been set up as a prayer tree. These would be read out at the Christian prayer service the next day.
I loved the idea of a Yuletide prayer tree! It's the same concept witches use when we add someone's name to our Blessing Cup so that universal blessings will find them and guide them through a difficult time. But to have an entire 6ft Christmas tree dedicated to this purpose is just so amazing - and a little bit Extra! I loved it.
Sheffield Cathedral now holds such a special place in my heart. Not only did I graduate there last month, but it helped to kick off December in a spectacular way. I had a Bailies hot chocolate and we enjoyed our first mince pies of the season in the Chancery cafe, before wandering around the cathedral and taking in the light show to our heart's content. It was a fabulous evening out, though you can see from these pictures how cold it was - I have a nose Rudolph would be proud of! It was a beautiful way to begin December as I have always loved angels and felt an affinity with them - that's why I wrote my book, Angel Craft and Healing.
Then on Friday I took part in a charity event called Elf Day. This is where you dress as an elf for the day in order to look like a prat and raise money for Alzheimer's Society. It helps to raise awareness of the knock on effect such a diagnosis has on families and as I spent time in my 20's working in nursing homes and caring for people with Alzheimer's, I wanted to do a little bit to help raise funds for this much needed charity, especially as the social care service is such a shambles these days - more people have to rely on organisations like Alzheimer's Society for support. Yuletide is after all, a time of giving and giving back so helping out with a charity event ticks both those boxes, plus it's a lot of fun.
So what with angels and elves, it's fair to say that I woke up in the festive spirit this morning and spent a few hours happily decking out my house! I do think that you have to play an active role in getting into the festive spirit - it doesn't just descend on you on December 1st. You have to participate in the season, doing seasonal things and enjoying festive outings, in order to nurture the joy of Yule within you. If you don't, there's a chance you could experience the winter blues instead and who needs that?
I like to do festive things in December to kick start the season. I like to create a lovely atmosphere in my house, getting as cosy as possible with faux fur throws, Christmas scented candles, hot chocolate and mince pies, while watching Christmas films or reading my books on Yuletide, Christmas, hygge and winter.
I love winter. It's my favourite season of all. I enjoy bundling up to go out in the cold, wandering round Christmas markets and doing my Christmas shopping. It's a great time of year to really count your blessings and be grateful for what you already have.
I hope this little post has inspired you to make the most of this magical time of year by visiting a winter show, or taking part in a charity event. As for me, I'm going to put on my Winter Snowfall ambient DVD, get cosy by the fire and start writing out my Christmas cards, while playing a classical carols CD from Coventry Cathedral Choir.
Whatever you are doing this month, I hope that you will enjoy keeping winter as much as I do.
Bright Blessings
Marie x
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