What & How do you celebrate?

[Chatelaine]

That got me thinking: what and how do you celebrate for your practice during this time of year? What celebrations do you have outside of your practice (if any)?

It all starts at Yule. I don't celebrate it any more, naturally, but my stepmother does, while I hang out on UAN, so our nightly awake time overlaps a lot. Last year we watched our favourite film (Rogue One) before I headed to bed and she to her ritual and vigil. We plan to rewatch it this year.

We all celebrate Christmas, and thoroughly appreciate the musical aspect. We'll tune into the Nine Lessons and Carols service from Trinity on the 24th (if a local church bothered to do it, we'd probably go, for the atmosphere, but you can't match Trinity for musical skill). I'll go to liturgy in the morning, since now I can drive myself and don't have to depend on my dad.

We also celebrate Jólabókaflóð as a family. I don't know what I'll have to read and munch for the occasion, as the parents have kept the treats secret, but it's probably my favourite celebratory tradition.

We have a house party with nibbles on New Year's Eve, watching the Hootenanny on TV, and a last present to exchange on New Year's, courtesy of my stepmother, who grew up in that gift-giving tradition and refuses to give it up. (Any excuse to raid the post-Christmas sale areas for more treats!)

[Sefiru]

I would prefer someone else's sincere religious devotion over feigned piety any day.

Sincerity is the word I would use too - it seems to be a rare quality these days.