Christmas is hitting us hard these days. This means B-U-S-Y to most people, including me.
Sometimes so much that we even forget why we are actually doing this (for LOVE, of course :)).
We get lost in the rush of shopping.
If that is the case, you should join one of your local Christmas celebrations.
And no, I am not talking about a Christmas Market … That will only get you into more shopping. I am talking about the real cosy Christmas Spirit which is when darkness falls and you join other people (friends, family or strangers) to stay common.
The beautiful picture above was taken at exactly that moment first Sunday of Advent.
This day good neighbours, near Bopa Plads in Copenhagen, have joined forces to spread the spirit of Christmas. With lights in the dark and Christmas Carols – for everyone to sing along.
However, the first song that crosses my mind is “Little Christmas Tree”. As it is with all open spaces in December, someone sells Christmas trees, and this tree is definitely ready to find a home to spread spirit in.
But trees and light does not make it alone. A lot of work has been put into creating the right atmosphere to kick off Christmas. Yes, Christmas does not start until Advent … sometimes it is hard to remember when decorations is up a full month or two before the particular Sunday in December/end of November.
One of the contributors to the spirit is the local café at Bopa Plads. Well, he probably does get profit in selling snacks and hot drinks, but he also deserves the credit it takes to put up the traditional Danish small cake of batter for free. As you will know from a previous Christmas-post I am a fan.
Please notice that this is actually the court to play Pentanque which is used for this Christmas purpose. It is too cold to play anyway, so great that the area can be used for something else to common cosiness.
And speaking of common … A lot of the public Christmas celebration seems to make the children main characters; they get children’s songs, goodie bags with candy and even a visit form Santa Claus. That is all great. But sometimes I get sad, when it is stated that Christmas is “the children’s party”.
This is simply not true …
To begin with, Christmas is what you make it (individually). And next, Christmas is all about love and joy and spreading it to the people closest to you, no matter their age.
Keeping that in mind I am grateful to find that the carols chosen for community singing was not only for children – or just the usual suspects from last year, that is. With songs from Leonard Cohen and Kim Larsen there was a more mature approach to the spirit than the nursery rhyme “Søren Banjomus” could add alone – but it was included in the set, of course!
The choice of music made it even more inclusive for everyone – not only children, but also children.
Any doubt should be removed by the sound of “Last Christmas” by Wham. As it is said from stage: A real ‘campfire tune’ to make us get together.
It is cold, so a campfire does not seem as a bad idea! However, the café-heaters are probably safer. And they almost look like a Christmas decoration in the reflection of the light.
It turns out I am not the only one who like the small cake of batter.
The queue is long, even though mountains of cakes are brought from the café by the busy staff.
When all the cakes are eaten, the only thing left is the dirty dishes …
And finally, it is time for us to light the Christmas tree.
Everyone is helpful when they count down from the stage: 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1- And light!
The beauty does not stop there. The tree will be for us to enjoy for the full Christmas month. So even if I am goosy all over with Christmas spirit as the community singing takes its end with “War is over” by John Lennon, I can still go on a grey Monday to enjoy the Christmas spirit. For free.
And I encourage you to do the same. Whereever you are. Enter into the spirit of Christmas – and set the spirit free for those you love 😀
PS: Somebody left a bowl of small cakes of batter. How could they?! Or is this the good spirit of giving?
