I am the tree of the season, 

I am the light and the glow, 

I am the heartbeat of Christmas, 

The spirit of Love.

 In the ending of night, 

the star is the Spirit

that guides our flight. ⭐️

The Guest of the Season

We welcome this being into our homes, clearing a sacred corner so all who enter might share in its quiet grace. We adorn its branches and make it feel special, but this year, the spirit of the season feels different.

I have brought home a living tree—housed in a humble pod, its roots still drinking, its heart still beating. When the festivities fade, it will not be discarded; instead, it will move to the patio to rejoin the sun, the rain, and the company of other green things.

There is a nobility in its presence. It feels less like a decoration and more like a temporary family member. As I hung each ornament, I found my hands moving with a new kind of tenderness, a soft caution born from the knowledge that I was touching a living thing.

From the Journal

Inspired by my new companion, I opened my journal to this question:

“If you could hang more than just ornaments this year, what would you grace your tree with?”

As I looked at the branches, four words took root in my mind: Light, Love, Faith, Spirit.

My heart is full of the universe today. This week has been a tapestry of celestial wonders: the New Moon on the 19th offered us a clean slate, a quiet moment of darkness before the rebirth of light. Today, December 20th, the comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) makes its closest approach to Earth, a fleeting visitor from the deep sky.

Tomorrow, the 21st, we mark the Winter Solstice—the longest night of the year. But in that darkness lies a beautiful promise: from here on, the days will begin to stretch and brighten. There is so much hope to be found in this return of the sun, and I am weaving that light directly into my journal artwork. To think of that celestial traveler passing by while my small tree breathes beside me makes the world feel vast and intimate all at once. All things of the universe inspire me so deeply!

"The Christmas tree"  Watercolor, acrylic markers and stickers on journal.

Guidelines for a Living Season

To help you connect more deeply with the "living" spirit of your home this year, here are a few gentle practices:

1. The Ritual of Introduction When you bring a plant or a living tree into your space, don’t just "set it up." Take a moment to stand in silence with it. Acknowledge its life and the oxygen it provides. This simple shift in perspective turns a chore into a greeting.

2. Adorn with Intention As you decorate, assign a meaning to certain pieces. Perhaps a specific bauble represents a hope for the coming year, or a ribbon represents a person you love. Let the act of hanging ornaments become a physical prayer or a series of well-wishes.

3. The "After-Life" Plan If you have a living tree or seasonal plants, visualize where they will go once the holidays end. Research the specific needs of your tree so that its transition back to the elements is successful. This turns the holiday from a "moment in time" into a "cycle of life."

4. Celestial Synchronicity Keep an eye on the sky. Whether it is a comet, a full moon, or a solstice, aligning your personal celebrations with the movements of the stars reminds us that our homes are part of a much larger, magnificent dwelling.

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   

   "Dreams of the snow" Watercolor on paper

   
   

   

   Mr, Zen meditating on the Christmas Day dinner 🎏
   
   

   
   

   

   Merry and Bright Digital Collage Sheet, click and save!
   

   
   

   There is a new gift for you! After retouching my original paintings, I decided to make a new digital collage sheet for you to enjoy. Simply download and print to use as adornments or cardmaking projects—I hope you enjoy them! ✨ 🎁

   Merry Christmas! 🎄