cat-christmas-tree

I unabashedly love Christmas. I especially love the time leading up to it. For many, this ends up being a stressful time, filled with to do lists, obligations and preparations for the big day. I choose to focus on the more contemplative aspects of the season. The shorter days invite me to slow down.

I love cozying up with Allegra, a book or a Christmas movie, covered by a warm blanket and a mug of hot chocolate. I love sitting by our tree, with Allegra in my lap, as I soak up the peace of the season.

Christmas Eve has always been a day of reflection for me. But even for those who engage fully with all the festivities of the season, Christmas Eve seems to be a time when many take a breather. To me, there’s something powerful in such a collective slow down. Restaurants and stores close early, streets are quiet. Radio stations play commercial free holiday music.

We live in challenging times. Everything moves at warp speed. Now, more than ever before, it’s vital that we slow down and find ways to turn off all the outside noise. Christmas Eve is the purrfect time to do this. Time to silence our phones with their endless stream of news and social media feeds. Time to put on some Christmas music.  Time to turn off all the lights but the ones on the Christmas tree. Time to just be.

For many years, part of my Christmas Eve routine has centered around quiet time in front of my Christmas tree. I take time to remember Christmases past: the Christmases of my childhood, spent in eager anticipation of the moment when I was finally allowed into the room with the Christmas tree my parents had decorated earlier that afternoon. In Germany in those days, we used real candles, and for a child, that was pure magic. Even all these many years later, I still have a visceral memory of that moment. I remember Christmases shared with other cats: with Feebee, Buckley, Amber, Ruby. I remember the love we shared, and the many ways they enriched and changed my life.

This year, I’m particularly grateful that Allegra is still with me to celebrate this Christmas. When she was so sick earlier this year, I wasn’t sure I’d get one more Christmas with her. Now that she’s doing so well, I’m starting to dare to hope for a few more Christmases – but rather than getting ahead of myself, I’m focusing on right here, right now. On this Christmas Eve, with my precious girl.

And as I reflect on the memories of the past and the blessings of the present moment, all feels right with my world.

Christmas Eve, with all its promise and its magic is an opportunity to take a spiritual deep breath. And perhaps it’s an opportunity to reflect on how we can make the promise of Christmas last and infuse our lives with a little Christmas all year long.

May your Christmas be filled with peace, love, and purrs.

This post was first published in 2015 and has been updated.
Image Depositphotos

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22 Comments on Christmas Eve Reflections

  1. Belated Merry Christmas! My husband and I took time this week to play games, give our cats new enrichment, and watch holiday movies. We also continued going for walks, reading books, and playing online word games. It was a quiet and restful week.

    Thank you for your reflections. They were calming in this society of hurry. May you have many more Christmases with Allegra.

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  2. Ingrid,
    May you and Alegra have a contented. Christmas Eve 2025
    I grew up in Germany and we always celebrated on the 24th
    My mother made a good meal, with duck, and speck piroggen
    Afterwards we lit the candles , real candles , and exchanged presents. And played music
    Frohe Weinachten und ein gutes neues Jahr

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  3. Merry Christmas 2025 to you and Allegra. We appreciate you, your wisdom, and your love for our best friends. May the new year bring you and Allegra good health and happiness.

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  4. Wishing you and Allegra a Very Merry Christmas. Hope Santa is good to both of you! Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!

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  8. Thanks, Ingrid – my childhood memories are similar to yours, Austrian Christmas was always magical. And the real candles on the tree! Now that I have a cat who likes to climb the tree I put up one year, I celebrate with my daughter and her family and their tree but I do put up lights. A whole string along the wall around pictures and a big mirror, it’s a good substitute although my son said it reminds him of an Italian restaurant. I grew up Catholic too and have chosen not to follow any religion. My life is complete with my two kitties at home and the grand kids to visit. Merry Christmas everyone.

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  9. I remember you saying how much you love to do this, and that is the biggest thing I miss about my ex husband. He was Catholic and I used to decorate for Christmas. We had a tree, which I LOVED! I would turn out all of the lights and do exactly what you said. It is beyond magical…one of the most beautiful and peaceful things ever. Enjoy!! xoxo

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  10. Love and Merry Christmas to you Ingrid, from Will, Jan, Anya and Oscar. Thank you for helping to make every day better for kitties and their humans.

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  11. Thank you for you wise words, Ingrid. As always, you, Ruby and Alegra bring me back to what is important in life. From me, Dante & Puck, have a Merry Christmas and Peace to all of you.

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  12. Lovely thoughts, Ingrid; your words took me back to my childhood as well, and brought me joy in reflecting on that time. I am blessed to spend Christmas this years with my posse: Izzy, Louie, Oliver, Lalo and Sweetie Pie. May you have peace, love and mucho purrs in the New Year.

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  17. Ingrid,

    After reading your article, I feel exactly the same. Feel it is a good time to reflect & appreciate, over the holiday season! And, relax & enjoy!

    Ingrid, hope you, Allerga, Ruby enjoy your holiday season!

    Nancy

    Reply

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