Christmas Eve

My family is arriving today, and I’m excited! I have everything ready (not really), and now I just get to do some more waiting.

Agenda tonight:
1. Decorate the tree:
The Christmas tree is a mythic symbol of life, hope, and knowledge. Our tree is in the living room now, with lights but no ornaments. I am waiting for help from my family. We will put Christmas music on the stereo and decorate with chaos and happy arguing (that’s just our style). 

We decorate our tree with symbols of a perfect world, to encourage that which we hope for in the coming year-

• lights for the Light of God
• animals for unity with nature
• a dove for peace
• fruits that nourish us
• gold and silver for prosperity
• candy for a sweet life
• mothers and babies for re-birth
• a sun on top and a serpent hidden below

2. Put Baby Jesus in the manger:
Of course, Baby Jesus must arrive in His crib tonight! 

I believe that we all have that of God within, and I generally picture it as Light, but the Christ Child is another wonderful image. At Advent, I am a baby again, waiting for birth into wisdom and grace.


3. Light the Christ candle:
Just before serving our Christmas Eve Supper, we will light the advent wreath, and also a large white candle, commonly called the Christ Candle. It is re-lit each night until the Epiphany to represent Christ's Light and in order to help guide the Magi to the manger.

4. Eat crab salad:
In Italian, Christmas Eve is "La Vigilia," the eve, but Italians also call it The Eve of the Seven Fishes, because traditionally the dinner is meatless and fish dishes dominate, with 7 or more fish courses served. We are having crab and salad.

5. Hang your stockings with care.