{"id":15034,"date":"2015-12-23T10:02:35","date_gmt":"2015-12-23T08:02:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/archives.piajanebijkerk.com\/WordPress\/?p=15034"},"modified":"2015-12-23T10:26:35","modified_gmt":"2015-12-23T08:26:35","slug":"this-is-what-christmas-looks-like-chez-nous","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archives.piajanebijkerk.com\/WordPress\/2015\/12\/23\/this-is-what-christmas-looks-like-chez-nous\/","title":{"rendered":"christmas, chez nous…"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Processed<\/p>\n

While others might revel in this time of year, I have felt a growing resistance to it over the years, especially the last decade. On reflection I can see there are many personal reasons for this, but I can also feel it connects with a collective consciousness as the world opens to change…<\/p>\n

\"Processed<\/p>\n

As I’m not religious (in that I don’t follow any particular faith), I’ve always felt conflicted with celebrating Christmas in what it traditionally symbolizes. In past years we’ve just pulled back from it and done our own thing. And that was okay until we had a child… how to make this time of year retain the magic and joy for a child but also give it deep meaning that is in alignment with our family without<\/em> following the hype and conformity?<\/p>\n

I have been able to take some wonderful and small steps toward reinventing this time for my family. This year I have the emotional and physical space to create what we want and need as a family without family pressure, social or religious conformity, hype, excessive-consumption, drama or stress. For us that means rather than focus on “Christmas” as the destination, we choose to focus on the journey we’ve had together and as individuals this year. So it becomes about gentle reflection and slowing down toward the end of year rather than speeding up. And instead of just showing up and receiving, the emphasis is on the giving which also and most importantly for me includes giving care to self<\/em>. For us, this time of year in our home is about creating tranquility and peace, along with strengthening the connection to earth by spending as much time in nature as possible, bringing it in and expressing gratitude for it daily…<\/p>\n

\"Processed<\/p>\n

A few changes that I’ve been able to put in place this year include:<\/p>\n

…being ‘just the three of us’ for the whole day of Christmas – it will be completely free of plans and be inspired by nature and the weather. Beach, mud puddles, playing with puzzles, who knows, but it will be about being together.
\n…Romain and I haven’t given gifts to each other for Christmas since we’ve been together and we don’t want to but I didn’t want the tree to have gifts just for Laly so – as suggested by wonderful Meg who runs the playgroup<\/a> that Laly and I attend – Laly has made a gift with her Papa to give to me and her and I will make a gift for her Papa to give to him. I have also made a gift for her so each of us will receive a handmade gift. This for me has been one of the loveliest experiences and I’m thrilled to make it a new tradition.
\n…not visiting a single department store or mall in the lead up to Christmas. I’ve done without this for years as I only shop locally or online for handmade items, but this year I decided to make it an essential part of the preparation.
\n…this year I introduced an advent wreath on our table to acknowledge and express gratitude toward the mineral, plant, animal and human kingdoms on earth. Traditionally this is religious but I choose to focus on nature as the divine, and each week we light a candle for each kingdom while adding a found piece of nature that represents that realm…<\/p>\n

\"PiaJaneBijkerk_christmas2015_8\"<\/p>\n

…And I made a wreath from foraged flora for the front door in the first week to express gratitude for the plants we have around us…<\/p>\n

\"PiaJaneBijkerk_xmas2015\"<\/p>\n

There is much more I’d love to add and rather than strive to get it all together now, I’ll implement the shifts slowly over the years and see how they evolve as Laly grows… and I have no doubt she will want input on it all as she gets older.\u00c2\u00a0 I can’t wait to share all these ideas with you. Along with this I’ve been creating some beautiful projects & I look forward to sharing all of it with you later in the new year.<\/p>\n

\"Processedmaking little trees<\/small><\/p>\n

\"Processedcollecting fallen pine branches<\/small><\/p>\n

\"ProcessedLaly’s frangipani sculptural piece hangs in the hallway and smells delicious<\/small><\/p>\n

In the new year I’ll be transforming my creative online space and evolving it into the next phase of my creative work. In the meantime, I’ve been having fun in my growing online store<\/a> by adding some new book packages and a special digital download of the how-to projects from Little Treasures<\/a>…<\/p>\n

\"LittleTreasures_howto-2\"\"LittleTreasures_All_howto-7\"<\/p>\n

Click here to find out more<\/a>.<\/p>\n

So this year for the first time in a very long time, I am feeling joy and gratitude and contentment about the coming few days. And although it will be the first Christmas without my Mum in my life, incredibly I feel her presence stronger than ever. I know she is here with us, I feel her love everyday and it feels amazing – like the warmest blanket on the coldest night, or the sweetest ocean breeze on a hot summer’s evening.<\/p>\n

Last but not least, with all that I’ve learned from this year’s journey of self discovery and healing, stars have become my central theme for the holiday season because we are all made from stars…<\/p>\n

\"PiaJaneBijkerk_christmas2015_7\"<\/p>\n

Eternal Love,<\/p>\n

Pia xx<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

While others might revel in this time of year, I have felt a growing resistance to it over the years, especially the last decade. 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