I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...

I could be writing about long hours in the office..about crowds in shopping malls, about rush, frustration, spending money, travelling, exhaustion, empty flat...but I choose not to...rather I'd like to share my dream about a Christmas..my feelings, my desires, a picture of this special time of the year..how it is settled deep within my heart..a vision, I'd wish everyone could parttake in...once...

In my dreams, there is a little house next to the forest..sinking softly in the snow, just like a little nest..hidden amongst the vast land of fluffy feathers..its small chimney is puffing a gentle smoke, making it even more inviting...even more cozy...it is the only sign of life amidst the still, peaceful, frozen world.  All the branches of the trees are coated with ice, they hold a thick layer of snow, just like the roof of the small house.  There are icicles hanging from the terrace top, a gift, a special decoration for those, who respect nature and choose to live close to it.  The fence enclosing a merry company of snowman builders is deeply embedded in the freshly fallen snow.  On the courtyard a curious creature - chocolate brown labrador - is marveling at what those mitten wearing, scarfed humans are doing. He'd like to be of help, therefore keeps on jumping up and down with enthusiasm and sniffs at the snow time to time, making his nose look like he just lifted his head up from a jar filled with whipped cream.  Yep, everyone is happy for the snow!  To celebrate it, a new family member is being created.  Little stones of coal, carrot and a sweeper is looked after in the barn, and the creation begins.  It takes time, and hard work, but the result is fascinating.  A huge, smiling, yet noble snowman, with a nice big bucket serving as his hat.  The wild animals exploring from behind the tree all come to see the newborn, a child of winter, the mighty king of the snow covered infinity.

Inside the little house all sort of delicacies are being prepared.  Soup boiling, meat roasting, gingerbread figurines are springing into life, as the practiced hands help them to form their personalities through their unique forms.  The fire whistles merrily, filling the whole place with the tart smell of orange skin, drying, evapourating on top of it.  The star of the night, the Christmas tree is being decorated with care, surrounded by glimmering eyes, and cold bit red faces.  The morning and afternoon is all about enthusiastic preparation...getting ready for the evening, when the most wonderful gift to humankind is being celebrated.  The ones in the little house know this.  They feel it deep down in their hearts.  They know that with decorating the tree, with cooking the most delicious of meals (everyone's favourite) they do not only follow a habit...but in the meantime they dress their souls up too..to shine, to gleam, to radiate the warmth of love to the ones present, and to the whole world.  They stare at the foggy window and marvel at the slowly, playfully swirling snowflakes, and the little blue-yellow birds besieging the little house set up for them on the ledge, full of seeds, that'll keep their small stomach full, and satisfied.

When the evening comes, the habitants of the little house on the edge of the small town go to the church.  They choose to walk, because they love the sound of crackling snow underneath their feet.  In the church they hear the most important message, that should not only be remembered on this special night but throughout the rest of our lives: Faith, Love and Hope, and of all of these, the greatest is Love.  With these 3 words, nicely wrapped and nested in their heart, they head home, to that lovely little house, that preserved all its warmth, and intimacy for them.

As they step in, a certain kind of solemnity falls to everyone.  All within the family feel it..young or old...it's the realization of belonging to each other.  It's the love, that immense love overflowing their hearts, filling the air, and all it's atoms with coziness, with appreciation that they are there for each other...that the world can end in any minute, but nothing could break the connection between them...it's the ancient knowledge, that they are tied to each other by the bond of Love that withstands everything...that nothing is strong enough to destroy these ties.  Storms can come, bad times can make people feel hopeless, but this everlasting fire will always be burning within their hearts.  It is something that cannot be described by words, but is there in the gleaming of those eyes...in the salty hotness of those tears cried because of letting this majestic feeling overtake their hearts...it is the absolute realization, that after all...we are not alone...that there are moments, when that little heart sets itself free from the prison of the cruel lord called Ego, and then we feel like, we are truly at home. That the moment, when everything is perfect and complete, and we'd like the time to stop, has arrived.  The homemade presents handed over to each other are just small symbols of this captivating, powerful feeling dominating the evening. 

Cheerful laughs fill the room, as presents are opened, and Christmas dinner is served.  All that fun in the snow, preparation...all those sentiments.....lead into a string of continous yawns..starting to pop up amongst the younger generation, being passed slowly onto the older ones. The dog is already snoring on the carpet, next to the door, the thrill of all that joy, all those games tired him.  A well deserved sleep awaits them all, and after checking the snowman from the window, if he's still watching over their sleepy home, they fall into soft white dreams, inhaling the soulsooothing smell of the pine tree, as the fire is dinging in the fireplace, telling tales of ancient times, heroes, secrets and treasures, which many have gone in search to find, but they managed to explore on this special Christmas night...that love is ultimate, and is above all.