December: Discovering Quiet

December.

It is a season of change. That is true in every year, of course. In this year uncertainty and division in so many areas of life point that up even more than usual.

There is much travel that will not be happening in this season, and what does will hold change. Events now and in future will not go ahead as planned.

You know all this.

It is also true that, what ever your faith, December is time of year also holds within it hope. Resilience. Trust. Joy. Connections both new and familiar.

banff snow among trees december

Not long ago I took part in an online conversation about quiet places. The questions discussed included what sort of place one looked for quiet, asking people to share places of quiet across the world and close by, and the like.

This was an interesting chat, to be sure, and it got me thinking about interior silence. That’s part of many spiritual and mindfulness disciplines, and likely something that could stand to be mentioned more often to do with travel. December can be an especially good time to think of this.

There are places that invite, even require, quiet. There are those which suggest it. All to the good. Bringing interior silence to even the noisiest of places can change and deepen perspective. Bringing interior silence to even the noisiest of conversations can change and deepen perspective there, too.

December is a season which invites finding places for silence.

That could be by a seaside, in a forest along a snowy path, in a church or temple empty or filled with people, in listening to music, in reading a well loved book, in walking along a city street, in shared conversation or times of silence with friends, in looking up at a sky filled with stars.

night sky trees forest

This time of year offers reminders to look for quiet. The stories faith based traditions celebrate at this time of year are ways into that. So are the wintry changes nature offers in the northern hemisphere in in December.

However you may find your way into quiet and whenever and where ever you are able to travel, be it around the corner or across the world, the perspective of a few minutes of quiet reflection will deepen your enjoyment. December offers many ways to reflect on these things.

Here are several stories to explore to go along

Wreaths, music, and legend: did you know that the wreath you may have at your window or on your door has a deeper connection than being a decoration? There is a song from Cherish the Ladies to go along as well

Candle in the window: there’s a tradition and a memory that connects across the world, and to home

Las Posadas: do you know about this winter holiday tradition? It involves stories of a journey.

Christmas in Ireland can offer times of quiet…so can learning about, imagining, and remembering times in Ireland

Before pandemic times, Sheila wrote a piece about exploring treasures at your doorstep. Wise advice still.

A good few yeas back, I wrote a story with reflections on varied memories of December and the winter season. Do any of them resonate with you? Let us know in the comments.

Christmas tree in window winter Cambridge

A story of meeting several Christmas trees in Ireland. A rather different Ireland than often turns up in December stories.

Music for Starry Winter Nights: a hint of the many ways music can help with finding quiet in December, and at other times of year

How to savor the winter holidays: twelve ideas which still ring true, in December and at other times

I will leave you with a bit more music to savor,too, as you make your way through December and beyond

Fiddle player and composer Hanneke Cassel is based in the Boston area. Her Christmas album is called O Come Emmanuel. This is the title track, paired with Cassel’s original tune Star of Wonder.

Emily Smith comes from Scotland. From her album called Songs for Christmas, here is her original song Find Hope.

Photographs of snow among trees in Banff, Alberta, Canada, hearth fire in County Louth, Ireland, and Christmas lights in window in Cambridge, Massachusetts, by Kerry Dexter; photograph of night sky in alps by Denny Franzkowiak from Pixabay. Thank you for respecting copyright.

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