We have rounded the corned and arrived at Christmas week. At last the fourth candle on our Advent wreath has finally been lit, much to the delight of an eager six year old who has taken to tending the flames each time we gather for the ritual that has grown over the years into the hallmark in our home which underscores the entire season.

I spent hours yesterday sorting through all the stuff that had taken up residence on every surface and in every corner of the room that has served as workshop, office, bedroom, and most recently, gift closet. It is incredible how quickly the debris of day-to-day life manages to settle into my space, which inevitably ends up a bit more neglected than the rest of the rooms in our tiny apartment palace. But now that the avalanche of the first semester has come to an end, I’m able to devote my attention fully to the tending of my home and really, there is nothing I like better than a proper nest fluffing.

I’ll be honest, I’m never truly inspired to begin the process of tidying up, but once I hit my stride, it’s hard for me not to feel flooded with inspiration as if all of the sudden, every last project I’ve ever wanted to complete is possible if I just do the work.

The irony, of course, is that every last project I’ve ever wanted to complete is possible if I just do the work. And sometimes it takes doing the work to remember that doing the work is all it takes?

Or something?

Anyhow, I’m not sure if it’s the fact that my room is finally tidy, that we’ve arrived at the most anticipated week of the entire year, or if it’s because I’ve got a special family circle planned to commemorate tonight’s solstice and planetary conjunction, but I’m feeling lighter and more at ease than I have in a while. I can’t possibly think of a greater miracle than closing out this unprecedented year with love in our hearts and peace in our home, and I’m thanking my lucky Christmas stars that it’s come to pass in such a way.

Blessings to you on this longest winter’s night. Here’s to the rising of the light.