Merry Christmas

Posted on December 24, 2018 by ivonprefontaine

I have been lax with my blogging, particularly the writing part. I plan on being more with it in the New Year.

I posted this post several years ago. It speaks to what I feel about Christmas and what I feel we have lost as it has become more commodified each year.

I recall cold winter nights, almost minus 40 at night. My bedroom window was almost completely frosted over. On moonlit nights, the light kept me awake or that is what I told others.

To give you a sense of how sound travels in the cold, when we are at the farm during the winter, I hear the train (about a mile away) and it sounds like it is coming through the house.

Growing up in Northern Alberta, the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) and Christmas were a big part of growing up and it was not just their light show. I heard and saw them, dancing and crackling in the night sky. I thought the sky talked to me.

During Advent, my mom and older brothers walked across the street for evening Mass. The younger ones, including me, went to bed. I did not fall asleep right away and watched out the window. I thought no one saw me, but my Mom would come up and tell me to go to bed.

Small children–

Breathlessly awaiting,

Peering through frosted window

Soaking it in.

Heavens rippling–

Lights undulating;

A celebratory fury

An indisputable guide.

This old house speaks;

Nature answers–

Heavens crackle

Sweet symphonic sounds shimmering.

Earth’s floor–

Blanketed in white

Celestial colours speaking

Capturing young senses.

A vivid winter scene,

A sensual, sensory palette,

Reminding us–

Christ’s Mass is here.

pic_wonder_northern_lights_lg

62 Comments

Posted in Community, Mindful Life, Nature in All Its Glory, Photography, Poetry, Reflective Moments, Sabbath, teacher as transformer and tagged , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

About ivonprefontaine

In keeping with bell hooks and Noam Chomsky, I consider myself a public and dissident intellectual. Part of my work is to move beyond (transcend) institutional dogmas that bind me to defend freedom, raising my voice to be heard on behalf of those who seek equity and justice in all their forms. I completed my PhD in Philosophy of Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA. My dissertation and research was how teachers experience becoming teachers and their role as leaders. I focus on leading, communicating, and innovating in organizations. This includes mindfuful servant-leadership, World Cafe events, Appreciative Inquiry, and expressing one's self through creativity. I offer retreats, workshops, and presentations that can be tailored to your organzations specific needs. I published peer reviewed articles about schools as learning organizations, currere as an ethical pursuit, and hope as an essential element of adult eductaion. I published three poems and am currently preparing my poetry to publish as an anthology of poetry. I present on mindful leadership, servant leadership, schools as learning organizations, how teachers experience becoming teachers, assessement, and critical thinking. I facilitate mindfulness, hospitality retreats. and World Cafe Events using Appreciative Inquiry. I am writing and researching about various forms of leadership, how teachers inform and form their identity as a particular teacher, schools as learning organizations, hope and its anticipatory relationship with the future, and hope as an essential element in learning.

62 responses »

  1. mihrank | December 24, 2018 at 5:58 pm

    May you feel all the love and joy I have for you throughout this festive season and all year round. Having you as my friend brings me great joy.

    Reply
  2. positivesideofcoin | December 24, 2018 at 5:58 pm

    Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays 🎄🎅🎁

    Reply
  3. Carrie Cannady | December 24, 2018 at 6:01 pm

    A beautiful post, Ivon. I do not recall having read it before, and I appreciate it very much now. Blessings to you and yours in this season of holy days.

    Reply
  4. swo8 | December 24, 2018 at 6:15 pm

    Merry Christmas Ivon.
    Leslie 🙂

    Reply
  5. Bonny Blogger | December 24, 2018 at 6:45 pm

    Beautiful. Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  6. Jet Eliot | December 24, 2018 at 6:57 pm

    Thanks so much, Ivon, for this enchanting poem and photo, sharing the incredible beauties of the past and present. Merry Christmas to you, and I hope the undulating lights that you have witnessed, and other incredible beauties of life on earth are with you always.

    Reply
  7. Laleh Chini | December 24, 2018 at 7:11 pm

    Merry Christmas.❤️❤️❤️

    Reply
  9. hitandrun1964 | December 24, 2018 at 8:15 pm

    I can’t even imagine -40 degrees, or the beautiful sky. Very different world. You must have been a cute and sweet boy. 🙂 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

    Reply
  10. leggypeggy | December 24, 2018 at 9:01 pm

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May the Northern Lights greet you often.

    Reply
  11. Val Boyko | December 24, 2018 at 9:07 pm

    This is a time for childhood memories and heartwarming times. Thank you Ivon fo sharing today 💛

    Reply
  12. kwhobbes | December 24, 2018 at 9:09 pm

    Thanks for sharing Ivon. I look forward to you writing more in the new year. Merry Christmas.

    Reply
  13. Ann V. Friend | December 24, 2018 at 10:07 pm

    Merry Christmas Ivon, Blessings!

    Reply
  14. Gypsy Bev | December 25, 2018 at 4:54 am

    It’s hard to imagine having those beautiful sights as part of your life on a regular basis. Did you always realize what a spectacular world you were part of or did you learn to appreciate it when looking back in later years? You described it so well!

    Reply
  15. ShimonZ | December 25, 2018 at 7:00 am

    Merry Christmas to you and all your readers.

    Reply
  17. Royfanthome | December 25, 2018 at 8:47 am

    Thanks for sharing. Happy Christmas to you and all close to you

    Reply
  19. Live & Learn | December 25, 2018 at 2:43 pm

    Beautiful. Merry Christmas Ivon!

    Reply
  20. New Bloggy Cat | December 25, 2018 at 4:04 pm

    Merry Christmas to you and yours, Ivon. (,,^・⋏・^,,)

    Reply
  21. Mary Strong-Spaid | December 26, 2018 at 9:44 am

    I have not written but a few times this year.
    Stress swallow creativity whole.

    Reply
  22. pujakins | December 27, 2018 at 1:26 pm

    A lovely and evocative offering. Many thanks. I always enjoy your writing.

    Reply
  23. Bette A. Stevens | December 28, 2018 at 1:58 am

    May the love and joys of Christmas follow you through a blessed New Year, Ivon!

    Reply
  24. Tiny | December 29, 2018 at 9:07 pm

    A lovely post, and poem, Ivon. I wish you a happy and healthy new year.

    Reply
  25. lvsrao | December 30, 2018 at 1:52 pm

    Beautiful post. Excellent one. Very realistic truth. I always enjoy going into your post and some how attracted to your natural expressions, I feel. Happy and All the Best, sir.

    Reply
  26. Christy B | January 5, 2019 at 1:26 am

    Wishing you a beautiful New Year 🎉😊

    Reply

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