It’s Christmas Time Again…

Photography & Thoughts for the Holiday Season

Welcome to the Revelry Collection Newsletter. I am so glad you are here. As the temperatures drop and the snow starts to fly, it gets me excited for the holiday season to come. Today I am going to tell you a story, a story that includes the true meaning of Christmas, holiday traditions, and some classic Christmas songs to tie it all together. So grab a cozy blanket and sit by the fire; this is going to be a good one.

As I was about to write this newsletter, I looked outside and saw Mount Rainier and its beautiful sunset alpenglow colors staring right back at me. I could not resist taking a photo. So here is the photo, a little surprise addition to this week’s newsletter.

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It’s about the Memories, not the Presents

Everyone’s Christmas is different, but I think one thing that can resonate with everyone is to remember it’s not about all the lights, presents, and movie marathons. But it is about the people you care most about, it is about celebrating the birth of our Savior, and lastly it is about those special moments that bring a childlike wonder to even the most stoic person. That is what it is about.

Last week my mom shared with me a quote, and I am probably getting the exact wording wrong, but I think it went a little like this….

I don’t remember the gifts I got when I was 5 or 14 years old. But I do remember baking holiday cookies with my mom, sitting by the fire to get warm, and building a snowman as the sky went dark. I remember Christmas lights, hot chocolate, and cozy movies spent snuggled together. Those are the moments I remember. It’s the memories, not the presents that matter most.

Now that we have looked into what Christmas is all about. Let me share with you one of my Christmas traditions. I also included some photos from a Christmas tree farm to get us in the holiday spirit.

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My Christmas Traditions

The sound of snow falling softly in the mountains, the chatter of voices in cozy packed restaurants, all come to my attention when the word “Christmas” comes to mind. My childhood has had many Christmas traditions, but one that always remained is our Christmas Eve dinner.

The buzz is in the air as the anticipation for Christmas comes to a head. The day moves slowly as we relish in the joy of the moment, while the feeling of what’s to come takes center stage. Making this special dinner is a full family activity; everyone pitches in. Some years every ingredient is thought through, while others we throw it together at the last minute. But the act of sitting around the table and eating dinner as a family remains. There is something about being around the table as a family that feels so nostalgic. It takes something that you do so often, such as eating, and slows it down in a way where you feel as though time has stopped. There is magic in the air that feels so right when family and friends come to eat around the table.

So wherever you are this Christmas, whether you are in the plains of Kansas or in the Rocky Mountain’s of Colorado, make sure to sit around the table with your family and make some memories. Because in the end we won’t count our life on what material items we have; we will count it on what memories we made.

The snowflakes flutter down in the dark sky once again, as we listen to the music play. It is Christmas time again; ohh, I wish it would never end.

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Christmas Music

As we approach Christmas, I wanted to share with you one of my favorite songs for this festive season.

I am talking about “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”. The specific version I am referring to is one by Max McNown. He is a 23-year-old country music artist who is based in Nashville. Max McNown has that old-school meets modern Americana feel that just feels right. I would highly recommend taking a listen. No one is paying me to write this, I just love his work and I think you will too.

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Closing Thoughts

We got some country Christmas music, some family traditions, and a little bit about what Christmas is all about. What else do we need? Well, I think all that’s left to say is Merry Christmas.

Signing off, Bentley Zylstra

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