Thursday, December 24, 2009

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

12 comments:

  1. Dear Bruce,

    Christmas joys and blessings to you and yours for the year ahead. ;)

    love,
    ~Silver

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  2. Thank "You" Silver... for your offering/gift of a blessing... and love... sent from a great distance from hamlet of Hillsdale! Sounds familiar doesn't it! It's so very easy... and powerful. The power of "One" is incredible!

    Much Peace and love back to "You" and "Yours". Bruce

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  3. Hello Bruce, I haven't had time to keep up with reading blogs over the last few weeks. Your recent ones look interesting and I will enjoy looking at them later.

    Best Wishes to you and Deborah for Christmas and the New Year.

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  4. arent we lucky!
    all the best bruce
    and many more paintings like this!

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  5. Hi Keith!.... Merry Christmas to "You" and yours!Look forward to our continued "back and forths" via the blog... "I" always look forward to seeing your new paintings... and to sharing ideas!

    Good Painting in 2010!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  6. Hi Rob!.... Beyond lucky my Friend!......Blessed! Thanks for dropping by!
    Stay tuned!....More to come!

    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  7. Merry Christmas Bruce, and thank you for such a delightfully inspiring post. I could smell the coffee as I read it...oops. That was MY coffee..!! lol
    I won't give up on painting stones Bruce, if they strike a chord then there is a reason for painting them I guess. Thank you for the encouragement.

    I hope you and your family have a Christmas that is one to remember.

    Best Wishes
    April Jarocka

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  8. Hi April!.... Thank "You" for your visit and warm comments. "Connection" between creative minds yields encouragement and ideas... on both ends. "I" always gain from "keyboard-to-keyboard" conversations with "You"!

    Keep polishing and producing those "gem" stones-they are beautiful!

    Good painting..and Happy New Year!
    Warm regards,
    Bruce

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  9. Wonderful words of thought for this holiday season and the coming New Year. Thank you.

    Thanks, too, for stopping by my blog and leaving your very kind and generous comments. I just came from your web site. What breathtaking art work. Thanks for sharing with us. Now that I've discovered your blog, I plan to visit often.

    Happy days, Happy New Year!

    Best,
    Paz

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  10. Welcome aboard Paz!....So glad to "connect" with "You"! Thank you for your uplifting commpliments as well.

    "I" so like the phrase "You" have used:

    "Thanks for sharing with us".

    That "Us" is such a powerful word. It connotes the union of minds... a powerful agent of change and of Hope!

    Let "Us" move forward together towards reaching out ...in Peace to other like minded "Beings".

    Happy New Year... and good hunting!

    Warmly,
    Bruce

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  11. I went to "Land Sketch", Nathan Fowkes to see what was new. Hope to get inspired...
    I got inspired alright, saw your comment & met
    your blog.
    Bruce, your art and post is uplifting.
    Thanks for for sharing! God Bless!

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  12. Thank "You" Bill!... For the encouragement. It is uplifting on both ends... Art and Children are our most precious gifts to the Future. Both can be harbingers of Hope... Harmony and of Peace.

    Too bad the politicians don't see..."The Light"! A tune from my Mom's early teachings sums it all up:

    Jesus bids us shine,ith a pure, clear light,
    Like a little candle,burning in the night.
    In a world of darkness,so we must shine.
    "You" in your small corner, and "I" in mine!

    Keep shining!!!

    Good Painting...and Happy New Year!
    Warm regards,
    Bruce

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