Category: Christmas Countdown 2023

Posted in Christmas Countdown 2023

Countdown to Christmas 2025: “Thou Shalt LOVE, Not Hate” — Day Twelve 12/12/25

Posted on by Neal Saye

From December 1-25, I’ll be sharing a quote and its truth from John Fugelsang’s Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person’s Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists and Flock-Fleecing Frauds, the book Robert and I are currently and fascinatingly reading.

An odd Advent Calendar, of sorts.

Fugelsang offers a bit of humor today, alongside a truthful point about anti-gay thought. He asks:

  • “Best of all, do the homophobes kiss each other whenever they meet?
  • Because they must, according to Romans 16:16. That’s where Paul instructs all real Christians to greet one another with a custom reflecting the familial nature of early Christian communities: ‘Greet one another with a holy kiss.’
  • The holy kiss was a greeting in many cultures of the ancient Mediterranean world, signifying peace, respect, and community.
    For Paul, this must have been a very important custom of his time, because he writes about it much more than he writes about gay people.
  • So every Christian man who uses Romans to justify homophobia is biblically obliged to start kissing every Christian dude he knows, every time they meet.
  • Pucker up.” p. 133

Posted in Christmas Countdown 2023

Countdown to Christmas 2025: “Thou Shalt LOVE, Not Hate” — Day Nine 12/9/25

Posted on by Neal Saye

From December 1-25, I’ll be sharing a quote and its truth from John Fugelsang’s Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person’s Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists and Flock-Fleecing Frauds, the book Robert and I are currently and fascinatingly reading.

An odd Advent Calendar, of sorts.

If you are interested, you can see the introduction to this new blog category here:

https://nealenjoy.com/2025/12/01/countdown-to-christmas-2025-thou-shalt-love-not-hate-introduction-12-1-25/

Fugelsang:

“It is understood that long ago, Christianity began as a nondiscriminatory movement that ostracized no one.” p. 142

No One

“Because the early church was established in diversity, equity, and inclusion.” p. 143

Posted in Christmas Countdown 2023

Countdown to Christmas: 12/24/23 — “Sing a Christmas Song”

Posted on by Neal Saye

This year my Countdown to Christmas is a nontraditional Advent Calendar centering (pun intended) on mindfulness.

On the front of each card is neat little picture, and on the back are the instructions for the short meditation.

Today, the 24th and last Day of Advent … SING A CHRISTMAS SONG.

Here are today’s instructions:

Activating your body, mind, breath and voice, there are few activities that involve you more comprehensively in the present than singing. Your task today is to sing a Christmas song.

Don’t worry, this need not be some grand solo performance to an audience – it could be singing carols as part of a group, an a cappella version in the safety of the shower, or simply singing along to a song on the radio – wherever you choose to sing, all that matters is that you give it your full attention and really go for it.

Feel the breath in your chest and the vocal vibrations in your throat; hear the sound of your voice; follow the patter of the melody, consider the meaning of the lyrics. Feel the various emotions involved, both in the tone and message of the song and in the personal feelings you get from the activity of singing. And most of all, enjoy singing for singing’s sake, for the fun and expressive act that it is.

Singing engages you completely in the moment and can be as relaxing as it is exhilarating.

Here’s a short video of grandson Daniel and his girlfriend Amalie singing “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” at a Savannah Ghost Pirates ice hockey game last night …

May your Christmas 2023 be a Song of Joy.

Posted in Christmas Countdown 2023

Countdown to Christmas: 12/23/23 — “Free Writing: Christmas Past, Present and Future”

Posted on by Neal Saye

This year my Countdown to Christmas is a nontraditional Advent Calendar centering (pun intended) on mindfulness.

On the front of each card is neat little picture, and on the back are the instructions for the short meditation.

Today, the 23rd Day of Advent … FREE WRITING: CHRISTMAS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE.

Here are today’s instructions:

Get a pen and paper and give yourself half an hour for this mindful writing exercise. In three ten-minute periods, you will put pen to paper and write, without stopping, on the subjects of Christmases past, present and future, and see where this takes you.

Set an alarm for ten minutes and start writing about Christmases from your past. This could begin with a memory, an image, a feeling, a description of a scene. Just take the first idea that comes to you and run with it. Don’t worry about quality – nobody else will read this but you.

Don’t stop until the alarm. If you find yourself stuck for something to write, just write random words until a new thought takes over. If the subject veers away from Christmas, no problem, just go with the new thought and see where you end up.

When the ten minutes are up, reset the alarm and start writing again, this time starting with thoughts on the present. How is the current advent period going? How do you feel right now? Start writing and follow these thoughts, submitting them to paper without pause.

Next, repeat the exercise for Christmases of the future. What are your hopes, expectations, predictions? Again, don’t worry about writing badly or if the subject changes. Just keep focused on the act of writing, on following a thought from your mind to the page.

Finally, mindfully read what you have written.

H.R. writing IN HIS SANTA PANTS at Tugaloo State Park in Gumlog GA …

Posted in Christmas Countdown 2023

Countdown to Christmas: 12/22/23 — “Watch a Christmas Film”

Posted on by Neal Saye

This year my Countdown to Christmas is a nontraditional Advent Calendar centering (pun intended) on mindfulness.

On the front of each card is neat little picture, and on the back are the instructions for the short meditation.

Today, the 22nd Day of Advent … WATCH A CHRISTMAS FILM.

Here are today’s instructions:

The TV schedule is full of Christmassy films, heart-warming tales that explore the magic of Christmas and the human spirit. Your task is to choose a Christmas film to watch, but instead of letting the story pass by as a mere piece of entertainment, watch it mindfully.

Give the film your full attention. Put your phone out of reach and just become fully engrossed in the story; in its themes, images and performances.

Concentrate on the emotions you feel as the narrative progresses. Notice the sensations in your body. Does your body language change as you watch? Do you tense up at exciting moments? Do your eyes well up at sentimental moments? Make mental notes of the feelings you go through.

Pay close attention to the ways in which the film portrays the ‘magic of Christmas’. What exactly does it say to you about the spirit of the season? What techniques are used to give it its effect?

Watching in this way is an example of behaving mindfully at times when we are prone to switching off. By being fully present in the viewing experience, we can notice things that would otherwise pass us by.

Posted in Christmas Countdown 2023

Countdown to Christmas: 12/21/23 — “Taste the Flavors of Christmas”

Posted on by Neal Saye

This year my Countdown to Christmas is a nontraditional Advent Calendar centering (pun intended) on mindfulness.

On the front of each card is neat little picture, and on the back are the instructions for the short meditation.

Today, the 21st Day of Advent … TASTE THE FLAVORS OF CHRISTMAS.

Here are today’s instructions:

Certain flavours are inextricably linked to Christmas. A mince pie, a piece of gingerbread, a glass of sherry or eggnog, anything with nutmeg in it.

For this mindful tasting exercise, simply choose one of your favourite Christmas treats, and for a few minutes give your full attention up to the enjoyment of its flavours.

Before you start eating or drinking, sit down with your treat in front of you and engage your other senses. Notice how the treat looks, smells and feels. Is your mouth watering? Do you have any particular expectations? Fully experience the present moment, the palpable anticipation before the enjoyment.

Consume your treat as slowly as possible. Focus on the feel and taste of each bite or sip, the texture and sensations in your mouth. Consider all the flavours that are combined in what you can taste.

Try to block out all other thoughts and concerns for these few minutes of enjoyment. Channel all your attention solely into the experience of consuming this Christmas treat. Do the flavours bring back any fond memories of Christmases past? Are any other emotions awakened? Simply notice the progression of your emotions and bodily sensations as you eat or drink.

This exercise should demonstrate how much there is to enjoy when we take our time with our food and drink and focus our mind completely on the enjoyment of the present.

YUM!

Posted in Christmas Countdown 2023

Countdown to Christmas: 12/20/23 — “Wrap Presents Mindfully”

Posted on by Neal Saye

This year my Countdown to Christmas is a nontraditional Advent Calendar centering (pun intended) on mindfulness.

On the front of each card is neat little picture, and on the back are the instructions for the short meditation.

Today, the 20th Day of Advent … WRAP PRESENTS MINDFULLY.

Here are today’s instructions:

The wrapping of Christmas presents, while it may seem like a mundane, functional task, can become a meaningful and reflective experience when we apply mindfulness to it. Here are a few suggestions for wrapping your presents mindfully.

For each present you wrap, first hold it in your hands and think about the person it is for. Say their name and picture them in your mind. Consider your feelings towards them, why you have bought them this particular item and how they might appreciate it.

As you measure and cut the wrapping paper, be alert to all the sensations it involves: the feel of the scissors in your hand, the sound of the paper as you smooth it out, the sound of the blades cutting through it.

Watch with care as you neatly fold the paper, stick it with sellotape and so on. Take your time; be alert to each moment as you lovingly prepare each gift.

Consider the act of giving and how it makes you feel. Notice how acts of kindness and generosity have a positive effect on your own mood.

This exercise is an example of how just about any task, especially one we normally do on autopilot, can really come to life when we give it our undivided attention.

Posted in Christmas Countdown 2023

Countdown to Christmas: 12/18/23 — “Delve into a Book”

Posted on by Neal Saye

This year my Countdown to Christmas is a nontraditional Advent Calendar centering (pun intended) on mindfulness.

On the front of each card is neat little picture, and on the back are the instructions for the short meditation.

Today, the 18th Day of Advent … DELVE INTO A BOOK.

Here are today’s instructions:

Your task today is to commit a while to the almost forgotten art of curling up in front of the fire with a good book. Okay, a fireplace is not a requirement, but try to find a warm, quiet and cosy place away from technological distractions in which to practice this mindful reading exercise.

Magnolia Springs State Park, GA

Choose a book, any kind you want, and first hold it in your hands, feel its weight, run your fingers over its cover. Notice the sound and touch of the pages as you turn them. Breathe in the smell of the book.

Slowly and calmly start reading. Savour each sentence, allow each description to form an image in your mind. Notice the writer’s use of language, take time to re-read particular parts that stand out to you, stop to look up any new words.

Delve fully into the world of the book. Appreciate the places, people and things that it creates for you.

Notice any emotions that the story and the overall experience of reading it makes you feel.

If your mind wanders, be patient with yourself. Just calmly acknowledge what took your attention, then let the thought drift away and bring your attention back to the world within the book.

Our study chairs where I do a Big Bunch of my reading …

Here’s what I’m (slowly!) reading now …

Oh my goodness, if you think some of your “parts” are terrible, READ THIS BOOK.

Robert and I also read books together. Well, more accurately I read aloud, usually while HR drives.

This current Christmasy one is our 182nd book we’ve read together …

Mindful Reading to You.

Posted in Christmas Countdown 2023

Countdown to Christmas: 12/17/23 — “Be Attentive to a Friend”

Posted on by Neal Saye

This year my Countdown to Christmas is a nontraditional Advent Calendar centering (pun intended) on mindfulness.

On the front of each card is neat little picture, and on the back are the instructions for the short meditation.

Today, the 17th Day of Advent … BE ATTENTIVE TO A FRIEND.

Here are today’s instructions:

True friends are very valuable things. They are there for us when we really need them and they like us for who we really are. Yet in the busy modern world of the smartphone and social media, it is not uncommon to find ourselves somewhat disconnected from our real, face-to-face relationships.

Your task is to disprove this suggestion and at some point this Christmas have a meaningful one-on-one conversation with a friend.

If you can arrange to meet face to face, make sure to be as attentive to your friend as possible. Make eye-contact, truly see your friend and consider their expressions, mannerisms and the way they are interacting with you. Listen intently and compassionately to what they say. Don’t plan what you will say. Go wherever the conversation takes you.

As you spend time with your friend, think about what things you cherish about your friendship, embrace the appreciation you have for it. Also, remain mindful of your own body language. How do you feel and behave when with your friend?

If you can’t meet up, the above can still be possible due to the wonders of online video technology. Failing that, give your friend a phone call. Pay close attention to their voice and look for opportunities to be cheerful in your conversation. Sentiments of love, optimism and humour between friends are things to be cherished.

Feel these joyful moments as they happen.

Oh, the joy of friendship!

May we all be more … Friend-ly.