joyeux noel

There’s a true story about a Christmas truce that took place during World War I. The story goes that allied troops and German troops spontaneously laid down their weapons on Christmas eve in 1914. They paused, if only for a moment, to focus not on their differences, but to celebrate what they had in common. It’s a beautiful and moving story and is a gentle reminder of what I want to teach my children about the holiday season.

We all know it is not about getting gifts and decorating and tons of food. All of those things are symbolic of ancient cultural memories going back thousands of years. Wither you celebrate the birth of Jesus or the Winter Solstice, these traditions are teaching points from one generation to the next. The aim to remind of us of what is important about being human, being part of a community and family, and that we are part of the natural, changing world. It’s a glorious time where the pendulum stops midair, just for a moment, so that we can look around in awe at everything and everyone we behold. It also provides an opportunity to focus outside ourselves, to see the world with kindness, generosity, and appreciation that we sometimes forget about.

This week we are spending time focusing on these gifts. We are making special things for the return of the light tomorrow. The sun’s return is very exciting.

My first project was this little snowflake banner to celebrate the joy of the season. We need the snow to blanket the ground, trees and plants so that we can have a fruitful spring and summer, right? So why not celebrate the snow!

I started with a 6 pack of smallish snowflakes found at Mike’s. They are about 2″ across. I cut the little hanging piece off so that all of the sides match. Then I grabbed a 3′ length of white lace. I folded over and flattened the end. Then I wrapped it with the tape making a sort of needed to thread through the snowflakes.

I wove the lace through the center of each snowflake. I left an even amount of space between each one, roughly 4 inches give or take.

I had a few white satin leaves laying around. I wove their wires through the back of three of the snowflakes.

Then I took a circle punch to an old version of A Christmas Carol. I added a wring of gold glitter around the edge.

I decided on adding another glitter dimension and went with a bead of glitter glue around the edge along with this large flake gold glitter. Perhaps two types of glitter is over kill but I like the look of that extra little bit.

To finish the snowflakes, I placed a pearl in the center of each letter, then used a hot glue gun to add them to the snowflake garland.

I added a few little tiny birds and loosely wrapped a gold wired ribbon around the whole garland. It’s very pretty, just like the snow. Tomorrow is a busy day of craft projects and celebrating. Winter Solstice is one of my favorite days of the year.

 

 

 

 

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