Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.
Hamilton Wright Mabie
‘Tis the day before Christmas, and hopefully, you are settling in where you most dearly wish to be. Whether this holiday is deeply spiritual for you or not, its heart is Good, and is an offering of hope and rebirth that humanity could surely benefit from.
Either way, if you are looking for something festive to do, then I highly recommend a quick venture out — not for more shopping — but to slip someone who needs it a small, clandestine miracle or random act of kindness. Or two.
I bet you can think of lots of creative ways to play Secret Santa during this sacred moment of stillness.
But here is an encore of one of my own practices that many of you have asked me to share once again this year. I hope it will inspire you, whatever your beliefs may be, for it is a powerful spell of transformation and abundance. This has been my own tradition on Christmas Eve for many years.
Please join me. Share with others!
The Magical Mystery Miracle Money Practice
This will cost between 10 and 30 or so dollars. More, of course, if you want. Start slowly if you wish, but I would not be surprised if, in coming years, the amount you decide to spend moves up and up. I know it really has for me!
It’s very simple. Here’s how it began.
Once upon a time, many years ago now, by pure coincidence (yeah, right!), I was shopping for a cheap shower curtain liner at one of those dollar stores in a neighborhood I don’t usually frequent. It just happened to be the afternoon of Christmas Eve.
I couldn’t help but notice who was shopping in that dollar store toy department on Christmas Eve: people who were desperate; people who were clearly scraping together everything they had for that last-minute chance to make their children smile. People struggling against overwhelming odds.
Sure, maybe not everyone in the store. But most. Without a doubt.
So, I got a crazy idea. I happened (oh, yes, just another coincidence!) to have a bunch of one-dollar bills in my wallet. I surreptitiously pulled them out and started tucking each one here and there among the toys.
Not so hidden that someone might not find them, but not too obvious, either.
I deliberately skipped over the guns and violence-promoting toys. I didn’t stick them inside books, since I felt that the odds would be fairly low for that particular book to be picked up and the money put to use.
Of course, I was also a bit concerned that my sneaky behavior might be interpreted as shoplifting, instead of shop-putting. So I was careful not to act too suspiciously.
After I planted my money, I paid for my shower curtain and left. I do not recommend hanging around to see the results. That would come much too close to stroking the ego. Plus, I believe it’s best at that point to hand the rest of the job over to Mystery.
In fact, I highly recommend the secrecy of it. Until a few years ago, when I began sharing it here with you, I had only ever told two people about my annual Christmas Eve errand.
I have decided to let you in on my secret, because wouldn’t it be fun if magical mystery miracle money started appearing in lots of places, on a day when families could sure use it.
Over the years, my investment has increased, and I include fives and tens when I can. I also have started placing some near the infants’ clothing, the kids’ coats, the shoes, and other necessities.
I know that every dollar, even if it is only found much later by a clerk doing inventory, is well spent.
And by the time I walk out the door, I am the wealthiest woman alive!
The Final Christmas Candle
Meantime, for everyone celebrating Christmas (instead of, or in addition to, the Solstice), tonight at midnight, or tomorrow on Christmas morning, it is time for you to light your final, center candle.
As before, you’ll light each of the previous ones, but then, the moment of the Divine Birth is celebrated.
With its light, welcome the Redeemer, the Bringer of Light, and vow to renew your own part in the ancient promise of faith, hope, and love that was given on this most holy night.
For we all agree that the greatest of these is love.
Thank you for being a part of the 21st annual Advent Sun Wreath Ceremony. It has been such an honor to celebrate again this year with you and to see how our ceremony has spread and grown, both across the globe, as well as down through multiple generations.
I look forward to our 22nd gathering in 2026, when both the Solstice and Christmas countdowns will be back in sync again. We’ll begin Sunday, Nov. 29th so mark it on your shiny new calendars and diaries.
Wishing peace on Earth and good will to all.
No exceptions.
From our home to yours, blessed be.
Love always,
– Beth
