THE RIDGE MEADOWS DISH

THE RIDGE MEADOWS DISH

issue 2

Dec 22 2011

When you least expect it, someone turns up in your daily life to give you a glimmer of hope. A shining moment in the paradox of humanity. A moment that re-enforces your faith and restores the joyousness that is the season. 

Tonight, in Ridge Meadows, I found mine. Never inquired on her name, I just acknowledged her as the 'Delightful Salvation Army Red Bucket Volunteer'. Standing in the chilly, of this early Thursday evening, her charming personality lit up the Save-on-Foods parking lot. She was joyfully singing Christmas carols and shaking her bells. I had taken notice of her actions while driving into the parking lot and her exuberance was energizing. As I walked closer, she was tossing her bells in the air and not missing a beat of her song, catching them and ringing them merrily.  

Walking into the store, I smiled but went on my way to complete my 'sudden' but urgent errand. The order I had placed had finally arrived and just in time too. After 20 minutes, I left the store, with a large bulky, heavy box in my arms. She smiled and wished me a 'Merry Christmas'.  Fumbling through my purse, I managed to get some money and toss it into her shiny red bucket and offered my best wishes back. The smile that had adorned her face had mellowed my very sullen mood. As I unlocked my car and put my box inside, I gazed upwards to the sky and saw a brilliant star. It seemed like it was the only one in the sky and it had me in full view. 

Maybe there is some truth to 'Dr Seuss's Grinch' after all. Sher's heart grew and grew that night. Maybe, this year everything will be all right. 

A PAGAN CHRISTMAS part 6

A PAGAN CHRISTMAS

part 6

NATIVITY SCENE vs YULE ALTAR

For Christians around the world, the most important aspect of their decorations is their Nativity Scene. A visual display of the depiction of the 'Story of the birth of Jesus Christ'. The Nativity scenes can be made from wood, plastic, ceramic or even stuffed felt and generally have the same pieces: 

• stable
• star
• angels
• shepherds
• Mary
• Joseph
• baby Jesus
• Magi
• animals
• hay

Elaborate scenes can have motion, lights and music and are displayed prominently in the home or on the front lawn. (larger scale) Of course, the best Nativity Scenes are the ones that are 'live' in nature. Many churches perform live scenes during Advent (the time frame leading to Christmas Eve) to teach the story to new Christians and in hopes of converting the non Christians.

Living nativity at St. Wojciech Church, Wyszków, Poland, 2006

For Wiccans and other Pagans that celebrate Yule. It is a tradition that a Yule Altar be decorated and is usually placed where normal rituals are performed in the home. As with the Nativity Scene, the Yule Altar has key components:

• Red, green or gold Altar Cloth
• Evergreen boughs
• White candles
• A single pillar candle of either red, gold, orange or yellow
• mini lights (solid color is preferred but multi-colored strands are fine as well)
• Holly leaves and berries
• Laurel leaves
• A cauldron 
• Oranges, lemons, grapefruit (any citrus will work for symbol of life)
• Cinnamon sticks or essential oil (I like using both)
• Whole nutmeg
• Myrrh incense (Christian overlap)
• Pine cones, symbolic animals (stuffed animals, plastic, wooden are fine)

The components for the Yule Altar are to depict life being reborn. A request for blessings from the Goddess and the cauldron is to represent the womb of the great Mother. The Altar can even be used as the focal point of the room. Adorned with

other decorations to make it look even more festive. Mead (honey wine), mulled cider or wine is used for toasting and blessing.

Sample Yule Altar with Stag 

DAILY TIP NOV 26 2011..the Holiday Version

DAILY TIP NOV 26 2011

Christmas versions!

From now until Christmas eve, I'll be showcasing some of my favorite websites for those hard to buy, last minute and unique gifts. 

Today's suggestion is for the 'Nerd' in the family. Think Geek.com is a quirky website that has something for everyone in the family; including the family pet.

If you love Star Trek, Dr Who, Star Wars etc; then this is your website. Great prices, excellent shipping (and quick). Safe and very user friendly.