Dear Editor and fellow Bowen Islanders,
How did I ever get this far in life and miss the deeper dimensions of Christmas? Apparently, that is what happened! To be sure, over the years I’ve been enriched by this unique season – as a child, longing for Christmas Eve to come quickly, hoping I would get the gift I had asked for. The gentle snow that would inevitably fall (even now as I write) would give this season a dreamy, peaceful feeling. Fast-forward to doing Christmas with my wife and our four children, enjoying with them the exquisite decorations, delicious baking and gingerbread house creation. I felt the love!
In 2007, my wife and I, now empty-nesters, settled into our new digs here on Bowen. Piers Hayes gave us a warm welcome and invited me to join the Squires. I was filled with hope as Lynn lead us in songs of peace in preparation for our Christmas Concert. As time marched on, I joined the Community Choir along with my neighbor, Bruce, and Ellen directed us all in songs of Christmas joy. I’d meet with Travis and his friends to share the love across the neighbourhood as we sang carols.
But wait, there’s more! Life is a journey, and my relationship with Christmas is no different. There’s an entire tradition I nearly missed, but am eternally grateful I discovered. All the shades, all the nuances of Christmas were already there - the hope, the peace, the joy and the love. But they were like iterations of the real thing, waiting for full expression once placed into the master template. They could then become the drivers to instruct my life orientation and action plan, even reviewed at the onset of each year. And so I embrace Emmanu-el, “God-with-us”, the true source of Christmas.
Chuck Venhuizen
