And Wild and Sweet

I actually heard the bells on the eve of Christmas Eve as they rung out in downtown Toronto, marking the hour yesterday. The sky was heavy with snow and so the tolling sounded eerily muffled yet oddly stirring. I was finishing off the last of my shopping and the festive Nathan Phillips Square drew me despite the snow. I had my “serious camera” with me and you can see the results of my fortunate snowy stroll in the photo above.

The sound of the bell tolling soon mixed with the vibrant sound of children laughing. It indeed sounded “wild and sweet” as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote back in 1863 when he penned this oft-sung Christmas hymn. It is one of my favourites! It speaks of harder times tinged with much hopefulness for peace on earth. An idea that is, and likely always will be, aspirational.

As I sit in my apartment, presents wrapped, luggage already packed for my drive home for Christmas, I can hear choirs singing down below in the Distillery Christmas Market. I’m happy to listen from afar and feel infinite gratitude for something quite simple: peace on this day. In a life where we seemingly have very little control over events, we can do much to draw peace closer in our own lives. A simple smile to a stranger. Choosing love over hate. Celebrating the miracle that is life here on earth. The generous yet seldom appreciated gift of a day, hopefully followed by another tomorrow.

On this Christmas Eve I wish for all of us “the unbroken song” of peace on earth. I hope for you especially, a “wild and sweet” Christmas.