Merry Christmas to ALL

Being out in the "rush n'crush" is over for us. All of the gifts are wrapped and under our beautifully decorated fir tree. As is my own personal Christmas ritual... I rise early... most often between 4:30 and 6:00 am... make coffee and then turn on the Christmas tree lights... sit sipping hot coffee.... thinking... and writing in my favourite comfy wing backed chair.

It is only then... that one can reflect back into time and fully understand the fuller meaning of "having" light... or in waiting and hoping... as ancients did... that "Light" would return. We now refer to their vigil and this celestial event as Winter Solstice.We often arrogantly refer to these celebrations as "pagan"... a poor choice of a word in my thoughts... meant to devalue what was simply earlier knowledge and understanding.

Even in the Christian celebration the heavens play a huge role in that "story".The much awaited birth of the baby "Christ"... the Messiah... or Light which the world waited for is the central image in this pageant . Wise men guided to the Nativity site from across a vast distance by a "special" star....a "star of Wonder". Skies were filled with glorifying angels descending upon shepherds. All of these events were squarely located around this Winter Solstice time frame... in more recent times at least.

My point here is that no matter whether you are a "believer" in this Christmas story... its underlying message should be clear. We still live today ... all of us in hope of seeing the light of another day. There are no promises of that... no matter your age or address. We live in uncertain... too rapidly changing... and volatile times. Let us make a conscious attempt... each of "Us"... to choose to live in Hope...Peace... and Harmony with our friends, neighbours and those we simply meet on our journeys. To make choices to assume some role... no matter how minor it might seem... to assume stewardship for our planet... so that our children with others around the world might enjoy its fruit and blessings in their life times as we have.

I will end this post with a quote from a newspaper article I recently enjoyed written by Mary Ormsby for the Toronto Star. It reads as follows:

"If you believed in Jesus Christ then any signal(from the heavens) that supports your beliefs would be looked upon fondly.
I'm not saying that I don't believe in Jesus Christ. But if you're a religious person, sometimes you gain the feeling of satisfaction or comfort knowing there are other signals that support your beliefs.
Perhaps everyone has their own star of wonder, just waiting to be found.Where? That's easy.
Look up from the keyboard,into the clear night sky, and pick one."

Referring back to my previous post. "I" have found my own personal star of... "Wonder". I can "see" and enjoy it by night or by day... as do many of "You".Each and every time "We"... as artists look upon the ever changing face of Creation while we are "out there" painting... we feel "Wonder"... and Hope!


"I" am truly and deeply blessed... and my Hope for blessings upon your house goes out to each of "You"

Merry Christmas to All... and Good Painting in 2010!
Much Peace,
Bruce