A Walk Through Christmas Past and Future
This article was created originally for LinkedIn on 12/21/2024.
Tonight, as I walked my dogs through the quiet, chilly streets of our neighborhood, I stumbled upon a moment of unexpected magic. One of our neighbors has the most spectacular display of Disney characters, surrounded by a sea of twinkling lights. It’s not just a display; it’s a beacon of joy that draws cars from nearby neighborhoods, filled with families who come to marvel at the beauty. I’ve seen it countless times before, it’s just a short walk from my house, but tonight, I slowed down. I really looked. I noticed every Disney character, every string of lights, every detail lovingly placed. And in that moment, I felt something stir in me: a deep, comforting warmth that wrapped itself around my heart. It made me smile, a smile that lingered long after I passed by.
I couldn’t help but think of my children when they were young, their eyes wide with wonder at those very Disney characters and the stories that brought dreams to life. Those tales of hope, magic, and wishes coming true felt so real then. And just like that, my thoughts traveled back even further, to my own childhood in Poland, to memories of Christmases long past.
In our home, Christmas wasn’t just a celebration; it was sacred. One tradition in particular stands out so vividly in my mind: the sharing of the wafer, or opłatek. Before we began our Christmas Eve feast, twelve dishes, each symbolizing an apostle, we would pass the wafer around the table. One by one, we’d break a piece and share wishes with each person there. But these weren’t just surface-level well-wishes; they were deeply personal, heartfelt hopes for their happiness, health, and dreams. It wasn’t about us; it was about them. For those few moments, we put ourselves in their shoes, imagining what they needed most, and hoping with all our hearts that those dreams would come true.
Over the years, I let that tradition fade. Life got busy, and I forgot how powerful it was. But tonight, as the memories came rushing back, I felt a longing to bring it back, not just for myself, but for my children. They’re older now, almost adults, and they’ve grown into thoughtful, empathetic souls. I want them to experience the beauty of that tradition, to feel what it’s like to truly wish for someone else’s happiness and to connect in such a meaningful way.
And as I continued walking, with the cold air biting at my cheeks and the world around me aglow with holiday lights, another idea took root in my heart. I thought about starting something new, something that feels just as special. After Christmas dinner, I want to gather my family in the living room, a warm fire crackling nearby. Each of us will take a piece of paper and write down our dreams and hopes for the coming year. We’ll fold them carefully and tuck them into the toes of our Christmas stockings, keeping them there until next year.
When Christmas comes around again, we’ll sit together and pull out those folded pieces of paper. We’ll read them aloud, sharing whether those dreams came true. If they did, we’ll celebrate with gratitude in our hearts. And if they didn’t, we’ll reflect, on how our dreams may have shifted, on the lessons we’ve learned, on the unexpected turns life may have taken. Then, we’ll write down new dreams, planting seeds of hope for the year to come.
I imagine this tradition becoming a quiet, sacred moment, a way for us to connect, to dream, and to reflect without pressure or judgment. Writing down our dreams feels like whispering them into the universe, giving them a chance to blossom into something real.
Though my children are nearly grown, I hope these two traditions, the breaking of the wafer and the dreaming of future hopes, will keep the magic of Christmas alive for them. The wafer reminds us to put others first, to wish with our whole hearts for their happiness. And the folded dreams tucked into stockings remind us to hold on to hope, to believe in the possibility of magic and transformation.
As I walked home, I felt a deep sense of peace and purpose. Christmas isn’t just about the lights or the gifts; it’s about these quiet, meaningful moments that weave us closer together. It’s about hope, love, and the belief that no matter how old we grow, there’s still magic waiting for us—if we’re willing to believe.