One of my favorite poems for the winter solstice contains these lines:
They lighted candles in the winter trees;
They hung their homes with evergreen;
They burned beseeching fires all night long
To keep the year alive.
Adorning one’s home with evergreens — holly, ivy, fir or pine — was a pagan custom prior to its adoption by Christianity. Depending on one’s perspective, evergreens may symbolize life in the dark of winter, or immortality, or rebirth. Sure, the symbolism is evocative, but what I love about evergreens is the sensual: beautiful colors and textures, and a scent that conjures up the celebrations of winter for me like no other.
To open the Advent calendar window for Day 2, click here:
Most years, we decorate our front door for the holidays with a wreath of silver sleigh bells. Yesterday, I hung this beribboned evergreen swag, made at the farmers market, on our door. I hope the holly plays nicely, and doesn’t snag too many friends who come to visit.
Tags: 1 Comment
1 response so far ↓
What a beautiful and festive door hanging! But it’s the poem that really struck me. I clicked on the link to the original post, and I hope you don’t mind if I copy down the poem for myself. It’s perfect for the season — so evocative of this magical time of year without any of the treacliness (is that a word?) that accompanies most “Christmassy” things. Lovely!