Christmas

As November gave way to December, and another wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends passed, the inauguration of the Christmas celebration commenced as marked by the placement of colorful lights strung across the landscaped front yards of homes along the streets and avenues in various towns and neighborhoods. Soon thereafter, the first hint of a decorated tree placed near the large windows of a front room of nearly every home, became more visible as subsequent evenings elapsed. Now, as Christmas Eve approaches, the spirit of goodwill can be seen everywhere. Regardless of who they are, what they represent, or from where they are from, people are smiling and motivated for the holiday of all holidays, for they seek to extend their joy to all. Christmas is a time lacking societal differences, an occasion deficient of racial impediments, and absent of international borders. It is, and has always been, a time for the carefully crafting celebration of being together with the people who are loved, a time-honored tradition.

The warmest memories of Christmas stand out most of all for those who reflect on childhood. A time when a home filled with the scent of baked sugary goods to be shared and enjoyed during the coming days. Freshly baked cookies, cakes, and pies, complemented with scented candles of pumpkin and evergreen, filled every room, teasing the occupants of the wonders to come later. Even the scent of a personal favorite, freshly homemade eggnog, with a dash of nutmeg, was easily noticed by those who have waited a year for a taste, while in the background, familiar Christmas melodies played adding to the magic of the days before the Eve of Christmas. During the season’s evening hours, fond memories of family members piling into a car to ooh and aah at Christmas decorations hung on homes throughout the neighborhood, made the spirit of the season even more cherished. But best of all, were the times family members and close friends, near and far, came to visit and share in the season, and as memories of the voices and faces of those now absent from the gathering flood the mind, keen recollections of their spirit and joy remains, warming the hearts of young and old, and bringing a smile to those who to remember.

The magical zenith of the season occurs on Christmas Eve, when the closest members of the family and dear friends, gather in the home to share in a laugh, a story, even a tall tale or two, before settling down at the dinner table for a magnificent banquet. They may sing an old classic or two, laughter will for certain be heard, but most definitely, there will be memories of happiness created for one and all look back upon in the years ahead. But no time was greater than visiting the grandparents, the greatest people of all. Their expressed love and warmth felt will last a lifetime, for it was they who taught us we will never be truly alone, because we will always have each other and the warm wonderful memories of Christmas, both those of the past, as well as those in the future.

Merry Christmas.