Month: December 2014

Christmas renews our youth by stirring our wonder. The capacity for wonder has been called our most pregnant human faculty, for in it are born our art, our science, our religion. -Ralph Sockman

It’s wonderful to see the Christmas lights and decorations around Toronto as the big day approaches.  Toronto’s City Hall Square is ablaze with lights and many skaters were on the rink the evening I was there.  “Located in front of City Hall, Nathan Phillips Square is an events landmark in the centre of the city. During the summer, the square is in motion daily, with people watching concerts and dance performances, viewing art at outdoor exhibitions, shopping for fresh produce at the farmers’ market one afternoon a week, attending weekly children’s events or sitting mesmerized by the fountain, eating lunch. The Peace Garden is a small green haven in the square, ideal for quiet contemplation or reading. In the winter months, the reflecting pool becomes a skating rink, with skates available for rental.  Ice skating during the winter months runs from mid-November to mid-March each year.”

If you’re going to go ice-skating over the holidays, Nathan Phillips Square would be a good choice as you can see from the collages.

Although I no longer frequent malls now as much as I used to, I have to admit it was fun to see all the decorations in the Eaton Centre.  That “childlike” delight in the lights and decorations still remains with me – the “wonder” of the Season.

 Christmas greenery and real Christmas trees were all part of the Christmas scenery in the Centre.  “Evergreens were a symbol of rebirth from ancient times. Egyptians brought green palm branches into their homes on the winter solstice as a symbol of life’s triumph over death. The Romans decorated with evergreens during Saturnalia, a winter festival in honor of their god of agriculture. In Northern Europe the pagans observed the Soltice festival of Jul – a two month feast beginning in November with prickly pine branches hung around around doorways and windows to keep away demonic spirits. But the sacred trees of the druids and norsemen were deciduous oaks, not evergreen conifers.”

The above collage shows what Christmas at Holt Renfrew looks like!

Williams-Sonoma is a fine cookware store and when I stopped by in there last Saturday, I took these images.  I had some nice hot apple cider while I was there.

Last Sunday, November 30th, was the first Sunday in Advent.  My friend, who is German, had an Advent party.  All four candles of the Advent wreath were lit as is her custom, and there was a lot of good food to eat and drink.

There’s always Jagermeister at her parties.

The most beautiful Christmas tree I’ve seen so far for this season is the one in the above collage.  This one stands in the lobby of the King Edward Hotel where some friends and I had the Nutcracker Tea a few days ago.

These are some of the sights and signs of Christmas in Toronto as I captured and experienced them.  Hope you enjoyed.