A Matriarch’s Reflection and New Year’s Wish

Sacred traditions, passing the torch and the gift of presence.

Hello friends,

Peace arrived in my heart on Day 1 of my Sacred Traditions Advent Calendar. It was the word I chose as my intention for the season, and it did not disappoint. Each day was infused with moments of calm, joy, and reflection. As I look back on what I hoped to manifest, I realize that everything I wished for was received—just as intended.

One unexpected and delightful revelation was recognizing that I’ve been handed the torch and given the title of matriarch in our family.

At Christmas dinner, we set a place at the table for my mom and included a beautiful photo of her from her last Christmas with us. My mom’s role each year was to give the blessing before the meal, and now, as matriarch, that task has passed to me.

I grew up in the Anglican faith, but I no longer attend church and have let many religious traditions fall away. When it came time for the blessing, I must admit—only slightly embarrassed—that I turned to Chat GPT for inspiration. Here’s the blessing I chose:

“Bless us, O Lord, and these Your gifts, which we are about to receive. May this meal nourish our bodies, and may the joy of Christmas fill our hearts. Amen.”

I explained to everyone at the table that I would now take on the role of blessing giver. I’m sure they all sighed with relief knowing I gladly would take on this tradition.

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

As we dove into plates of turkey and stuffing, my daughter reflected, “You know what I miss most about Grandma right now? She would always wait until I sat down and started eating before she began.”

It was true. My mom had a quiet way of honoring the hostess, showing gratitude to the one who orchestrated the gathering, prepared the food, and set the table with care. Though she had tried to instill this habit in us, at some point, she must have let it go. Yet she never faltered in giving this gift of presence and appreciation.

I found myself, proudly wearing the matriarch badge, explaining to one of my granddaughters why it’s important to place her cutlery in a certain position when she’s done eating. And why fine dinnerware should never be stacked when clearing the table. My mom, and her teachings, were very present at our Christmas dinner table.

Sharing my Sacred Traditions Advent Calendar throughout December was such a joy. Each day brought a small but meaningful practice to center myself and connect with the season. From lighting candles to making ice ornaments, these moments felt like tiny celebrations of peace and creativity. One of my favorites was Day 18, where I introduced wish papers—a tradition we’ll carry into the new year.

As we approach New Year’s, we’ll gather with family and friends for another amazing meal, likely play a fun game, and send our wishes to the heavens with the help of those wish papers. We’ll finish the evening with the community fireworks display, and as is our tradition, my husband and I will be back home and in bed well before midnight.

Here’s the link to the post about wish papers if it’s something you think your family might enjoy.

As this peaceful season comes to a close, I carry forward the lessons of presence, gratitude, and connection that have made this time so special. My wish for the New Year is to continue weaving these sacred traditions into the fabric of our lives—moments of stillness, creativity, and togetherness that bring joy and meaning.

May the coming year be filled with the same peace I’ve found in this season, and may it inspire us all to honor the simple yet profound gifts we share with those we love. Here’s to a year of new beginnings, cherished traditions, and dreams coming to life.