Rituals of the Holiday Season by Joanna Poppink Religion, myth, history and folklore collide mid December. They explode in twinkling lights, tinsel and carols in the night. Spirits fly through stormy skies carrying gifts and lumps of coal.
Lightning strikes an oak tree and creates mistletoe plus lots of surprising kisses.
We move in a frenzy of shopping, cooking and traveling. Or we flee the holidays in cars, planes or depression. We spend more time, money and energy than we can afford. We give to the poor and homeless. We give out of joy, and we give out of guilt and duty.