“A Christmas candle is a lovely thing; it makes no noise at all, but softly gives itself away; while quite unselfish, it grows small.”
~Eva K. Logue
When my daughter was eight years old, she created a wonderful tradition. Seemingly out of the blue, Samantha asked if I would take her to the store so she could get some “supplies.” When we left the store, we had twenty-five glass votive holders and twenty-five candles.
When we arrived home, I still wasn’t sure of Samantha’s plans. (She insisted it be a surprise.) She cleared an area of the side table in our dining room and set each votive, with a candle, in a line. Then she sat down at the table and stared at them, while studiously writing some notes. The next day she invited us all in and lit the
first candle declaring, “This candle is for peace.” The next day, she lit both the first and second candle. Each day she lit another candle in addition to the previous candles, as she added to the “traits” she wanted to remember during the holiday season. As Christmas Eve neared, this grew into a twenty-minute daily routine,
which helped us all to truly slow down and remember what the season was all about. On Christmas Day, we lit a large candle and let all the candles burn for the day of celebration.
first candle declaring, “This candle is for peace.” The next day, she lit both the first and second candle. Each day she lit another candle in addition to the previous candles, as she added to the “traits” she wanted to remember during the holiday season. As Christmas Eve neared, this grew into a twenty-minute daily routine,
which helped us all to truly slow down and remember what the season was all about. On Christmas Day, we lit a large candle and let all the candles burn for the day of celebration.
Here is the original list of Samantha’s candle representations at
age eight years old:
age eight years old:
1. Peace
2. Joy
3. Love
4. Gratitude
5. Giving
6. Listening
7. Hope
8. Harmony
9. Growth
10. Understanding
11. Health
12. Trust
13. Those we have lost
14. Compassion
15. To Cherish
16. Sharing
17. Serenity
18. Freedom
19. Life
20. Friends
21. Spirit
22. Faith
23. Family
24. Celebration
25. Jesus
2. Joy
3. Love
4. Gratitude
5. Giving
6. Listening
7. Hope
8. Harmony
9. Growth
10. Understanding
11. Health
12. Trust
13. Those we have lost
14. Compassion
15. To Cherish
16. Sharing
17. Serenity
18. Freedom
19. Life
20. Friends
21. Spirit
22. Faith
23. Family
24. Celebration
25. Jesus
Your Turn: Create your own list of holiday traits. Make a special page in your journal and add one trait per day throughout the season.
Today’s Affirmation: I take time to remember and reflect on the reason for the season.
Your Two Cents: Your feedback is what motivates me to create the Good Morning. Share your thoughts and browse my archives by clicking here.
And as always, don’t forget to start your day with a heartfelt: “Something great is going to happen today… I can’t wait to see what it is!”
And when ending your day ask yourself: “What is one more thing I can do to make today matter?”