SILENT NIGHT

With public health officials cautioning against travel and large gatherings, many of us may find ourselves spending the holiday season alone this year. But a solo celebration need not be a dour affair. Read on to discover how to light up your Christmas, even without a merry group of revelers to join you.

By Sandra Lane

This Christmas will definitely be different from Christmases in previous years. The corona virus has changed our lives and our customs. Many of us will be spending Christmas alone this year because of the risk in traveling and becoming exposed to the virus. The usual Christmas parties at churches and various organizations will be considered off limits to those who want to preserve their health and avoid the terrible effects of this disease.

However, all is not lost. It’s still possible to have a meaningful and joyful Christmas although you may be celebrating alone or with just your immediate family.

Decorations can still be put up throughout the home and outside, if desired. It’s fun to pull out decorations that haven’t been seen in a long time. Some people even have ornaments saved from their childhood that evoke happy memories of Christmases past. Putting a very small Christmas tree with a few lights on a table can boost spirits and inspire some happy feelings. And don’t forget to hang your stocking somewhere. I even have stockings for some of my cats.

Mailing Christmas cards seems to be decreasing in popularity. Years ago, I can recall spending most of December addressing cards and mailing them out, hoping I had not forgotten anyone. And, the cost was staggering. Now, I do the easy thing – I send electronic Christmas cards online to my complete list all in one fell swoop. And the cost is very minimal. I pay $20 a year for cards created for any

Holiday e-cards

• Jacquielawson.com – $20/year for all occasions (also offer games, puzzles, advent calendars) • Americangreetings.com –$20/year for all occasions • 123 Greetings.com – Free for all occasions • Bluemountain.com – $20/year for Hanukkah cards and others

occasion. (See adjoining box.) I’m also going to purchase one of the online advent calendars to play around with. I always enjoy the puzzles and other features included.

This year, I will definitely miss the Christmas Eve service at my church and getting together with friends for Christmas dinner. However, I plan to visit with friends by way of Zoom or Skype.

Ingredients:

4 eggs 2 tsp. cinnamon 1 cup oil ½ tsp. nutmeg 2/3 cup water 2 tsp. soda 2½ cups sugar 1½ tsp. salt 1 can pumpkin ½ cup walnuts 3½ cups flour

Pumpkin Walnut Bread

Directions: Beat eggs, add oil and water. Add sugar gradually and then pumpkin. Add spices, soda, and salt. Gradually add flour. Last, mix in walnuts by hand. Pour into greased and floured loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. Makes two loaves. You can freeze one loaf to enjoy at a later date. (Note: If you don’t have time to make this recipe, you can buy a Pillsbury Pumpkin Bread mix to use. This is almost as good as the homemade version.)

Also, I will watch more than one Christmas Eve service online or through Zoom. One advantage of this method is that I can sit in my rocking chair sipping hot coffee while watching the services. Check your church’s website to see what online programs or services are being offered as well as other churches in your area.

Just because we are home alone does not mean that we should not celebrate with a special Christmas dinner. For me, that always means cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, sweet potatoes, green beans, fruit salad (ambrosia), hot rolls, and probably baked salmon, since I don’t eat meat. This is enough food to sustain me for the next several days.

For those of you who do eat meat, you might want to cook a small turkey and put part of it in the freezer. It’s great to have something to pull out and warm up or make casseroles from for the next few days or a week. Also, don’t forget to save a few pieces of the turkey for your pets. They will enjoy that.

Another item I like to make is Pumpkin Walnut Bread, which lasts for a week or so (maybe). I’ve included my recipe in an accompanying box. It makes two loaves — one can be put in the freezer for future use.

Although you may miss seeing your relatives and friends, there are some benefits to spending some quiet, peaceful time at home by yourself. I can recall in my younger days preparing

Free Christmas Movies

• Bells of St. Mary’s: Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman (1944) youtube.com/watch?v=APRNe_3tzdg • It’s a Wonderful Life: James Stewart and Donna Reed (1946) vimeo.com/280022699

• Miracle on 34th Street: Natalie Wood, John Payne, Maureen O’Hara (1947) dailymotion.com/video/x21b6ui • Home Alone: Macaulay Culkin (1990) youtube.com/watch?v=dmze6lF9iu0 Christmas dinner for 20 people and then cleaning up the mess. There is a lot to be said for getting older. This year, take advantage of the opportunity to plan a quiet and meaningful Christmas for yourself, one that you will happily remember.

As for me, I intend to light a candle, pour myself some coffee, and eat some of the treats I have prepared for myself while listening to some of the wonderful Christmas music on YouTube.

Then I may watch one of the classic Christmas movies from years gone by. (See list in adjoining box.) Viewing those movies reminds me that people still celebrated although they were facing many challenges such as fighting a world war and a great depression, among other events. It gives me inspiration to meet the challenges of today.

Another of my favorite activities is walking through nearby natural areas and parks to appreciate the color of the changing seasons. I enjoy picking up souvenirs along the way such as acorns, pecans, and large leaves. At home, I leave treats out for the resident birds and squirrels in the neighborhood and also prepare some special treats for my cats, particularly on Christmas Day.

When you get right down to it, Christmas is really a celebration in the heart. It follows us wherever we go. All we need to do is just relax, let our worries go, and tune in to the heavenly inspiration and comfort that flows.

Whatever our faith or belief system, at Christmas or Hanukkah, we can all join in like a heavenly chorus to send healing feelings and messages of love into the universe. May that wonder envelope each of us in its loving embrace as we celebrate the season in thought and feelings, although perhaps not in the same physical location.

Merry Christmas and happy Hanukkah to each of you. May your new year be one of many blessings.