Merry Christmas!

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We went to Taos Pueblo for the Christmas Eve celebration. I would so love to show it to you, but photos are forbidden. The only way to experience this astonishing event is to come to Taos and attend it yourself. I'll try to entice you... imagine hundreds of people gathering just before sunset, chatting with friends, but eyes turned to the church, with the setting sun glowing pink and orange behind it. As mass lets out and the sky darkens, a procession begins from the church courtyard. Large torches, native dancers, menacing men firing rifles into the air, and a large canopy carrying a beautifully dressed Virgin Mary, carried high on the bearers shoulders snake past as onlookers squeeze in to see them. It's a strange mix of native and catholic traditions that doesn't make a lot of "sense", but works quite beautifully. As the procession weaves through the crowd, large, artfully stacked fires are lit, some as tall as 30 feet high. Men climb to the tops of them to light them, and as they ignite from the top down, they look like giant, flaming Jenga games. The black smoke spirals from them in black tornadoes, filling the air with glowing sparks. It's beautiful and other-worldly. It's thrilling and terrifying and uplifting. It's Christmas Eve at the Pueblo, and it's essential to many of us who live here.

Today we wake to a quiet house and a warm day. Our kids are all elsewhere this year, so we've decided to load up the dogs and go to the hot springs. We've found, and created, more than our share of magic this Christmas, so today we'll soak our bones and relax, reflecting on the glowing good fortune that forms our lives.

Merry Christmas to you all, from our Home in Taos. I hope you have a wonderful day!


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Leave a comment on this post to be entered to win next week's Gratitude Bracelet. Enter once on each post from now to next Thursday, and I'll hold the drawing on Friday morning. More details are in the column to the right. Good Luck!


Comments

  1. Texan Zombie GoddessDecember 25, 2010 at 8:29 AM

    Merry Christmas to you too :)!

    Penny \IiiI

    ReplyDelete
  2. PADecember 25, 2010 at 9:30 AM

    Merry Christmas, Kim. And thanks for sharing the description of the Pueblo Christmas. Even though I've not visited the Pueblo at Christmas, I have been there at other times, so can imagine somewhat how it looks. Maybe one of these days I might visit for Christmas. Cheers and enjoy your quiet day and warm soak! Polly Anna

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousDecember 25, 2010 at 11:25 AM

    Merry Chlristmas, Kim and Rick. I hope you have a restful, contemplative day. It's the kind I insist on :-). Your word picture of the Pueblo was terrific as well as that of your back yard. Norine

    ReplyDelete
  4. GlasperlenzimmerDecember 25, 2010 at 11:33 AM

    Merry Christmas. Wish you all the best.
    Vera

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownDecember 25, 2010 at 12:04 PM

    Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!

    Lynn

    ReplyDelete
  6. MerikayDecember 25, 2010 at 12:29 PM

    We really do have to visit those hot springs some day when we swing thru New Mexico. They sound very pleasant.

    Merry Christmas

    ReplyDelete
  7. dianaDecember 25, 2010 at 1:36 PM

    Merriest of Merry!

    ReplyDelete
  8. debraDecember 25, 2010 at 2:40 PM

    merry christmas Kim and Rick!! enjoy your day and each other...

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousDecember 25, 2010 at 4:25 PM

    Hope you two had a relaxing day at the hot springs.
    Last night at the Pueblo sounds beautiful. Sara in FL

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousDecember 26, 2010 at 12:47 AM

    Merry Christmas Kim and Rick. Thank you for the detail description of Christmas Eve.
    Ruth at the Ocean

    ReplyDelete
  11. m.e.December 26, 2010 at 3:16 AM

    It's strange and wonderful that we feel a such connection with people we only meet on line .
    Some people think that the cyber world dehumanizes us.I think maybe it's just the opposite. Thank you for letting me experience Xmas Eve in Taos my friend!
    Merry Christmas to all!!!
    m.e .:)

    ReplyDelete
  12. KralalienDecember 26, 2010 at 7:38 AM

    Merry Christmas to you too Kim! Hope you had a good one :)

    Hugs, Carolien

    ReplyDelete
  13. YvonneDecember 26, 2010 at 1:33 PM

    Belated. . Merry Christmas. But glad that you made it to the hot springs. The event for Christmas in Taos sounds wonderful. Here in Florida went to watch a "boat parade" - the neighborhood streets were lined with luminarias - such a wonderful reminder of those in Albuquerque and other NM places at this time of year. And it was chilly, so the hosts had a warmly lit chimera near the water.

    Yvonne

    ReplyDelete
  14. CarleneDecember 26, 2010 at 7:37 PM

    Sounds like a wonderful way to spend the day. I've been to the pueblo in the summer when we've visited, but Christmas eve sounds amazing. The springs sound delightful, too. Thanks for sharing your christmas with us:)

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousDecember 27, 2010 at 5:32 AM

    A couple of days late but Merry Christmas. Suzie

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousDecember 27, 2010 at 8:04 AM

    It's the little things in life that make a warm holiday happen. Happy Holidays to all! Beth in Illinois

    ReplyDelete
  17. kathy nardiDecember 29, 2010 at 6:42 AM

    Happy New year Kim and RIck!!! I am so very grateful to have spent all day yesterday at the slopes with daughter Dawn watching her boys snow board down the snowy hills.They were cold but they wouldn't give up.Took me back to my skiing days,only thing missing was the schnapps in my yummy hot chocolate.Hope I am lucky this time,would love to win the gratitude bracelet as a constant reminder that even with lifes problems there is so much yet to be thankful and grateful for.

    ReplyDelete
  18. BabetteDecember 29, 2010 at 9:35 AM

    Well for crying out loud - who da thought? I really enjoyed reading this post!

    ReplyDelete

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