Best Christmas Moment this season...

-
...occured last night.
It was a religious sort of thing.
2 Mormons (us)
went over to see my friend,
who is Catholic,
and her husband,
who is Jewish.
We lit the Menorah
He said two prayers in Hebrew
We ate Latkes
(and drank some warm cider
with cloves and cinnamon).
because last night was
the first night of Hannukah.
We bundled up
--It's so cold
and there's been 18 inches of snow
fall in the past 2 days--
We got in my tough old CRV that never wavers;
two men in the front
the ladies chatting in the back.
We drove to a beautiful Gothic cathedral
to hear Compline,
a monastic night-time prayer ritual:
30 minutes of haunting harmony.
When we left
The snow was still falling, falling, falling,
and my friend jumped for joy
in the silent snow-filled streets
in the shadow of the cathedral.
We realized it was Winter Solstice
and laughed at the crazy combination
that brought so much happiness:
Menorah
+
Hannukah prayers
+
Latkes
+
Mormons, Catholic, and Jew
+
Solstice
+
The first day of Hannukah
+
Compline
+
Snow storm
+
a dance of joy.
=
Best Christmas memory this year.

Comments

Camille said…
uhm that was absolutely beautiful!!! What a christmas memory and what a description!! I loved reading it! thank you!
December 22, 2008 at 9:57 AM
El Jefe said…
Very efficient evening. Talk about an equal opportunity spiritual buffet. It all sounds really cool. Except the snow.
December 22, 2008 at 2:36 PM
. said…
How cool! I've always wanted to do something like that. Glad you're making some happy Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa memories!
December 22, 2008 at 5:06 PM
Diane said…
Merry Christmas to a lovely talented family.
December 24, 2008 at 2:07 PM
Jen said…
Liz, that is amazing. What a memory. It reminds me of Christmases on my mission in Oakland. Yes, very memorable.
December 27, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Kandis said…
I've just been catching up on your blog since I haven't read it for a while. Sounds like you had an awesome Christmas and trip to Texas! Your daughter is adorable!! Happy New Year!
January 4, 2009 at 9:35 PM
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