The Day (& the Night) Before Christmas (w/excerpts) December 24, 2025
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Books, Christmas, Healing Stories, Hope, Life, One Hoop, Peace, Philosophy, Religion, Wisdom, Writing, Yoga.Tags: 988, Charles Dickens, Christmas, Christmas 1914, Christmas Truce, Clement Clarke Moore, family, Frank Capra, Henry Livingston Jr., holiday, holidays, Johann Pachelbel, New Year, Peter Hooton, Philip Van Doren Stern, Richard Rohr, Steve Grimes, The Farm, World War I, Writing
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“Peace and good will!” to all. “Happy Holidays!” and “Merry Christmas!” to all who are celebrating.
May you be safe and protected / May you be peaceful and happy / May you be healthy and strong! May you be nourished!
“I know because it’s Christmas, you’re surely hoping for some very special sermon. I don’t think I have one, really, [because] there’s really only one message. And there’s nothing new to tell you. It’s the same message that if you’re praying (and that isn’t always true of Christians), it goes deeper and deeper and deeper. If you’re quiet once in a while (and that isn’t always true of Americans), it goes deeper and deeper and deeper.”
— quoted from “Christmas 2016: Really only One Message” homily by Richard Rohr, OFM (delivered on Sunday, December 25, 2016)
For many people around the world, it is the day — and soon will be the night — before Christmas. This is a time immortalized by the stories, songs, poems, ballets, and movies I have referenced over the last few days. Just like all of the protagonists in the stories, we have no idea who may visit us (in person or in our dreams). Just like the narrator in “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (also known as “’Twas the Night Before Christmas”), which was originally published as “Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas” on December 23, 1823, we may have expectations and little something extra to do before we settle in for “long winter’s nap”; but, we have no idea what will happen next.
In telling the story of Christmas during yesterday’s practices, I mentioned that, the actual night before Jesus was born was not significant to everyone around Mary and Joseph. No one knew it was “the night before Christmas”. It seems obvious, I know: There was no “Christ” and therefore there was “mass for Christ”. But, really think about for a moment. Think about the fact that, even though some of them had received messages from the Angel Gabriel, Mary, Joseph, the Magi, and the unnamed people around them had no idea how lives would change… how the world would change.
Even if you look at the story historically (or allegorically) instead of spiritually and religiously, most people involved would not have imagined that the story would still be celebrated and told centuries later.
Similarly, soldiers fighting along the Western Front in World War I, today in 1914, would not have imagined that people living over a hundred years later, would still remember their Christmas Truce. They could not have imagined that there would be stories and songs and movies about their football games, their exchange of gifts, and their caroling. Stuck in their present moment, and all it entailed, they could not have known how so many would find inspiration in their actions of peace and human solidarity.
“The boys had their say, they said no (all together now)
Stop the slaughter, let’s go home
Let’s go, let’s go (all together now)
Let’s go (all together now), let’s go home
All together now (together, together)
In no man’s land (together, together)”
— quoted from the song “All Together Now” by The Farm (composed by Johann Pachelbel, lyrics by Peter Hooton and Steve Grimes)
Even if you are not in the middle of a war or a conflict, you have something in common with those World War I soldiers. Even if you are not an immigrant and/or expecting a child during (these) uncertain times, you have something in common with Mary and Joseph. Even if you do not have Ebenezer Scrooge’s “bah humbug” attitude, George Bailey’s despair, or the the Christmas cheer of the characters around them, you have something in common with them and the papa who is visited by St. Nicholas. Even if you do not celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday and/or a cultural holiday — and even if you do, just at a different time — you have something in common with those who do celebrate (and those who do not).
We all have doubts and fears mixed in with hopes and dreams and wishes and prayers. We all have expectations mixed with an awareness — even if it is just a tiny bit of awareness at the very back of our minds — that we cannot know all of the wonderful things (and people) to come. Neither can we know what a difference we will make in the world and in the lives of those around us. And that, finally, is the thing we also all have in common with everyone mentioned above:
Every single one of us can do something that brings a little more peace and a little more joy into the world.
“‘Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.’”
— quoted the poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas”1
CLICK ON THE EXCERPT TITLES BELOW FOR MORE.
Here’s A Little “something, something” for the Holi-daze (the “missing” Sunday post)
A Quick Note & EXCERPTS RE: Light & Living “A (SAD) Wonderful Life” (the “missing” Saturday post)
CLICK ON THE EXCEPTS BELOW FOR THE STORIES.
“The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.”
— quoted from the poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost
Zoom classes are cancelled today. I have sent audio recordings to people on the Wednesday class list. You can check the “Class Schedules” calendar for upcoming classes. You can also request an audio recording of this practice via a comment below or (for a slightly faster reply) you can email me at myra (at) ajoyfulpractice.com.
For those who are interested, the December 24th playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “12242023 Christmas 1914”]
If you are thinking about suicide, worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, you can dial 988 (in the US) or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call this TALK line if you are struggling with addiction or involved in an abusive relationship. The Lifeline network is free, confidential, and available to all 24/7. YOU CAN TALK ABOUT ANYTHING.
White Flag is an app, which I have not yet researched, but which may be helpful if you need peer-to-peer (non-professional) support.
If you are a young person in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgement-free place to talk, you can also click here to contact the TrevorLifeline (which is staffed 24/7 with trained counselors).
In the spirit of generosity (“dana”), the Zoom classes, recordings, and blog posts are freely given and freely received. If you are able to support these teachings, please do so as your heart moves you. (NOTE: You can donate even if you are “attending” a practice that is not designated as a “Common Ground Meditation Center” practice, or you can purchase class(es).
Donations are tax deductible; class purchases are not necessarily deductible.
Check out the “Class Schedules” calendar for upcoming classes.
CHECK OUT THE CALENDAR! You can kick off New Year’s Day 2026 in two ways (and in two spaces): with the very active practice of 108 Sun Salutations at 10:00 AM or with the very “chill” practice of a Restorative Yoga+Meditation practice beginning at 5:00 PM. All times are Central Standard.
Register to practice in-person (or join us via Zoom). Details are posted on the “Class Schedules” calendar.
1NOTE: “A Visit from St. Nicholas” was originally published anonymously. It has been since been credited to Henry Livingston Jr. or Clement Clarke Moore.
### PEACE ON EARTH! ###
Here’s A Little “something, something” for the Holi-daze (the “missing” Sunday post) December 22, 2024
Posted by ajoyfulpractice in Changing Perspectives, Faith, Healing Stories, Health, Life, One Hoop, Peace, Philosophy, Poetry, Robert Frost, Wisdom, Writing, Yoga.Tags: 988, A Christmas Carol, Dave, essential workers, holi-daze, holidays, It's A Wonderful Life, mental health, Richard Rohr, Robert Frost, SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder, winter
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Happy Holidays! Many blessings to everyone and especially to anyone cultivating kindness, friendship, peace, freedom, understanding, gratitude, and wisdom (no matter how much you struggle).
May you be safe and protected / May you be peaceful and happy / May you be healthy and strong! May you be nourished!
This is the “missing” post for Sunday, December 22nd. It contains some re-purposed (previously posted) content and a couple of excerpts. You can request an audio recording of this practice via a comment below or (for a slightly faster reply) you can email myra (at) ajoyfulpractice.com.
In the spirit of generosity (“dana”), the Zoom classes, recordings, and blog posts are freely given and freely received. If you are able to support these teachings, please do so as your heart moves you. (NOTE: You can donate even if you are “attending” a practice that is not designated as a “Common Ground Meditation Center” practice, or you can purchase class(es).
Donations are tax deductible; class purchases are not necessarily deductible.
I will offering in-person classes during January 2025. Click here for more details and to reserve your spots now. Let’s start the 2025 together!
Check out the “Class Schedules” calendar for upcoming classes (and holiday cancellations).
“The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.”
— quoted from the poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost
There was a time, not too long ago, when we were acutely aware that things were different. We had to adjust almost every ritual, every tradition, every practice, and every habit. For some, that meant that there was less hustle and bustle for some. For some, however, it was just as busy or — in the case of essential workers like parents, delivery people, people in groceries, and/or people in health care — that time was even busier and more chaotic than normal. Either way there was an extra layer of stress and uncertainty.
Maybe you are someone for whom it feels like things are “back to normal”. Maybe you are someone for whom things will never be the way they were. Or, maybe you are someone somewhere in between. Either way, you may be feeling a certain kind of way this time of year — and that certain kind of way may involve stress and uncertainty. You may feel like you are never going to get everything done in time and/or that the only way you can get everything done is to not do the things that you usually do to take care of yourself — all of which just creates more stress.
Bottom line, this time of year can often be stressful, exhausting, and draining regardless of our individual and collective circumstance (and that’s even before we throw in grief). While some of those feelings can be attributed to the fact that it is colder and darker in a lot of places in the Northern hemisphere, some of what we’re feeling can also be because we are going against our natural rhythms: rushing around when everything (and everyone) else is slowing down to rest for a bit.
If you’re a feeling any of these things, you are no alone. In fact, feeling out of sorts (especially this time of year) is so common that it is a common motif in some of our favorite holiday classics.
Click on the excerpt titles below if you’re feeling like Scrooge and/or like life is less than Wonderful.
For Those Who Missed It: “Bah Humbug!” & Other SAD Sayings
For Those Who Missed It: Living “A (SAD) Wonderful Life”
If you are feeling a little bit of holi-daze, this is a good time to put your legs up, relax, release, and rest. Sure, you may need a little bit of movement (plus some extra hydration and light) in order to get to that place where you can let go of all the busy-ness and settle into the moment — even if it is just for a moment — but it will be worth the effort. Consider for a moment that there is great power in letting go (i.e., surrendering) and being still in the silence. That power is restorative, healing, and can be exactly what you need to keep going forward.
Ironically, we really face and recognize that power when we are struggling to still the body and quiet the mind because…. [insert whatever you think/feel must be done RIGHT, RIGHT NOW]. The struggle is why this is also a good time to remember a wise bit of advice from yoga buddy Dave: You don’t have to do everything to have a happy holiday.
Finally, this is a good time to pause and practice a little gratitude. Express gratitude for those people who were essential to your well-being four years ago, as well as to those who are still taking care of all of us. Appreciate the people with whom you choose to spend your time (and maybe even some of those family members, master teachers, and precious jewels with whom you feel forced to spend your time). Give thanks for anything and anyone who brings meaning to this season.
Now, offer a compassionate moment of peace and ease to everyone, everywhere.
After all, all of the winter holidays being celebrated this week are ultimately about light and peace.
“I know because it’s Christmas, you’re surely hoping for some very special sermon. I don’t think I have one, really, [because] there’s really only one message. And there’s nothing new to tell you. It’s the same message that if you’re praying (and that isn’t always true of Christians), it goes deeper and deeper and deeper. If you’re quiet once in a while (and that isn’t always true of Americans), it goes deeper and deeper and deeper.”
— “Christmas 2016: Really only One Message” homily by Richard Rohr, OFM (delivered on Sunday, December 25, 2016)
Sunday’s playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “12222020 Winter Holidays”]
If you are thinking about suicide, worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, you can dial 988 (in the US) or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call this TALK line if you are struggling with addiction or involved in an abusive relationship. The Lifeline network is free, confidential, and available to all 24/7. YOU CAN TALK ABOUT ANYTHING.
White Flag is a new app, which I have not yet researched, but which may be helpful if you need peer-to-peer (non-professional) support.
If you are a young person in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgement-free place to talk, you can also click here to contact the TrevorLifeline (which is staffed 24/7 with trained counselors).
A Joyful Practice 