Shared by Liz Sorensen Wessel. 

Something so whimsical & light of heart as this little angel who perches within the freshness of an evergreen.

Even more extraordinary is the tradition of a living tree standing majestically in our living rooms adorned with baubles, each with a story of its own. Baby’s first Christmas, a child's handmade ornament; cherished gifting’s passed along from family & friends through the years.  Reflections of our lives & the people that we think of fondly with love.

Perhaps she captures a little bit of the magic of this season amidst the chaos, tragedies & heartache; reminding us that love shines through in every circumstance.

As this year winds down, may we go forth a little wiser, a bit kinder & with generous hospitality towards one another & especially for those unwanted aspects of ourselves that long for acceptance, love & forgiveness.

Ring Out Wild Bells by Alfred Lord Tennyson, (1809-1893)

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light:
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind
 For those that here we see no more;
 Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,
 And ancient forms of party strife;
 Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care, the sin,
The faithless coldness of the times;
  Ring out, ring out my mournful rhymes
But ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
 Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.

Photo: Christmas Angel, 2017 ~liz