Christmas in the Quiet Season

Christmas arrives in the heart of winter, when the natural world slows and grows still. Trees stand bare, gardens rest, and the landscape seems to pause. Liberty Hyde Bailey understood this season well. In his essay Midwinter, he reminds readers that winter is not empty or lifeless, but a time meant for reflection and preparation.

This idea fits naturally with Christmas. The season invites us to slow down, to notice small moments, and to value stillness alongside celebration. Without the distractions of growth and color, winter encourages us to see more clearly - both in nature and in ourselves.

Bailey believed that patience is one of nature's greatest lessons. Beneath frozen ground, unseen work continues, quietly preparing for spring. Christmas carries that same sense of hope. Even in darkness or quiet, something new is taking shape.

The season also draws people together. Winter encourages warmth, shared spaces, and community, and Christmas reflects those same value through generosity, tradition, and care for others. These connections remind us that growth does not happen alone.

As the holiday season unfolds, Midwinter offers a gentle reminder: rest has purpose, stillness matters, and preparation is a form of progress. Like the garden in winter, this season is not an end, but a beginning.

If you would like to read the full essay Midwinter, click here.

Our very own John Stempien, current Collections Manager & former Museum Director, has a video reading a portion of Midwinter, which you can watch here.

May this Christmas be filled with quiet gratitude, meaningful connection, and hopeful anticipation for the year ahead. From our families to yours, we wish you the very best Christmas.