December 3rd -- Our "PEACE ON EARTH" sign
Every year since 1995 (since my first Christmas) my family has put up a long light up sign across our front yard saying, "PEACE ON EARTH." Throughout the years we have all received countless compliments on this sign from family, friends, even strangers. We live on one of the busiest streets in town so there's a lot of people that get to see our Christmas decorations. People always ask one of us where we got the sign and how they can get one, but our answer is always the same. My parents got the sign at Walgreens, and weirdly enough that was the only year they sold them for some reason. At least that's what we think. We, and no one else who has inquired about the sign has been able to track down another one since we got it. For most people I'm sure it is a pleasant message to spread peace throughout the earth. For some people it is a reference to the bible from the book of Luke, "peace on earth, good will toward men." For me, it is both of those things and a little bit more. I don't believe in coincidences and I honestly believe that we are the only ones in the area meant to have this sign. It may sound a little corny, but after all I am a huge fan of Hallmark Christmas movies. As I mentioned earlier we live on one of the busiest streets in town, and call it an abundance of Christmas spirit, but I feel that since so many people drive past all the time they are meant to notice our sign and take it as a positive message to make their day better. Whenever I look at the words "PEACE ON EARTH" it always makes me full of hope. I am a firm believer that one day, a long time from now, peace will reign throughout the world. Especially given recent events I think it's important to have a positive reminder that hope is still very much in the world, and that by spreading messages such as "PEACE ON EARTH" it can truly turn someone's day/life around.
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December 2nd -- Christmas Music 24/7
Anyone who really knows me, knows that I am a crazy Christmas lady. One of my favorite things about the holiday season is Christmas music playing pretty much 24/7. I think my dad is partially to thank for my intense love of Christmas, as he feels the same way. We certainly know how be holly jolly in our house. Usually my dad and I wait until Thanksgiving morning to start listening to Christmas music, but -- confession time -- this year we started about a week or two before Thanksgiving! (some of my friends will definitely shake their heads in disapproval, but they probably aren't that surprised either). Christmas music is so fun and festive I just can't help but listen to it all the time! It truly makes me so calm and filled with joy. I'm the kind of person that will remember every word to a song after hearing it once or twice, so you can only imagine how wild it gets in my house around this time of year -- basically like a real life Glee episode that goes on for a month. (sorry to my siblings, but not that sorry!) From classic albums like Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton to Disney Christmas Hits to Pentatonix to Straight No Chaser to new contemporary artists like Lindsey Stirling's new holiday album -- every kind of Christmas, winter, holiday music you can think of is played in my house. Christmas music for me is very inspiring when it comes to my creative process. Whenever I'm making winter, holiday related illustrations, patterns, or product designs it doesn't take long at all for me to come up with new and interesting ideas when I constantly listen to Christmas music. I have a bunch of favorites, two of which are "Run Run Rudolph" and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" by Bruce Springsteen. He is from New Jersey so he's a music legend to all of this state and also to my parents. My parents passed down their love for his music onto me, and there's just something so special and different about his voice. When he sings these two songs it's the most infectious and joyful experience to me, and really captures the essence of the Christmas season. Certain Christmas songs have very important meanings to me, something I'll get into another day, but for now you guys should definitely go listen to some of your favorite Christmas tunes to get you into the Holiday spirit! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!
I have decided to create a special blog for the month of December to focus on the true, genuine meaning of Christmas from my perspective. It's so easy to get wrapped up in the chaos of everything going on during the holiday season. I often find myself so crazed in planning and promoting my art that I don't appreciate living in the moment as much. Especially during the days between Thanksgiving and Christmas, which is my favorite time of the year, I find it particularly difficult to balance everything from creating, to working, to spending time with loved ones. "Christmas Through My Eyes" will be a daily dedication for the 31 days of December. Each day will have a different theme and will be focused on something that makes my Christmas memorable and special. I will be posting a hand-lettered design that has some significance to each day's theme as a way for me to use the talents I was gifted to spread some Christmas cheer and also to make art every single day this month. December 1st -- Jesus is the reason for the season Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday for many reasons, one of which being my faith. I was raised Catholic and now proclaim that faith as my own. I genuinely believe that I was given my artistic abilities for a reason, so I try to use them whenever I get the opportunity in new and interesting ways. Growing up I went to a Catholic School down the street from my house and I loved it. Between going to a school that taught me about my faith from a young age and my parents continuing to teach me about my faith at home it made Christmas so much more meaningful. Most kids view Christmas as a time for baking treats, playing in the snow, and getting gifts from Santa on Christmas morning. I of course loved all of those things, but Christmas meant even more to me because of the story of Jesus' birth. Every year we put up a nativity in front of our house. Every day of the Christmas season from the time I was 4 to the time I was about 9, I would pray to baby Jesus in the manger in my front yard--always including the casual "happy birthday jesus," can you put in a good word to Santa for me, and thanking him for being born. Of course things have changed a bit since then, but I still always try to make certain that Jesus is a priority, especially during Christmas. Sometimes life gets crazy and you can't always make it to church, that happens to me too. I know deep down that not going to church every Saturday night or Sunday morning doesn't mean that I am a bad person or that I'm not "Catholic enough." In my opinion, your faith can be whatever you want it to be, and for me this holiday season I'm making a conscious decision to make sure I go to church every Sunday during Advent, especially since I often do not go each week. Christmas is often viewed as a means of giving and receiving gifts. For me, this Christmas season I am giving my time to go to church and in return I will be getting filled with hope, positivity, and great community from my church St. John Vianney. Christmas is a holiday that was created to share the story of the birth of Jesus, and I firmly believe that for myself. Over time Christmas has become even more meaningful with my own family traditions and favorite memories, but one thing that will always remain true for me each year is that Jesus is the reason for the season. |