Visions of Christmas's Past
Christmas is near, tis the season of
holiday cheer, and I am reminded in
fond recall of those gone by in yesteryear.

Our home was filled with laughter and
mirth as plans were made for the days
ahead, from attic space dad brought the
decorations so carefully stored, the multi-
colored out door lights to brighten the
porch and big Blue Spruce were the first
to be placed, and when these twinkled in a
cold winter's night I knew Christmas was
surely near.

On fireplace mantel mom placed the
nativity scene with such loving care, upon
glittering cotton field the manger was set
with a single white light to show the way,
each figure was there to tell the story of
Bethlehem that night.

Then on a Saturday just before noon,
we would bundle up for a ride to the
woods nearby dad's boyhood home, with
saw and hatchet in hand, we searched for
that special tree to stand in splendor in
the living room later that night, Christ-
mas would soon be here.

Excitement grew as bright packages
wrapped with such care began to appear,
their mysteries to remain until Christmas
day dawned. The smells of holiday time
lingering in the air added to the thrill as
candies, cakes and cookies were stirred,
mixed and rolled, mom and grandma had
begun their marathon cooking run to the
Christmas day meal.

On Christmas morn we awoke with
sleep filled eyes, with nodding agreement
my brother and me peered into silent liv-
ing room to find that old St. Nick had
really been there, bicycles, electric trains,
lincoln logs and tinker toys were among
the surprises awaiting to be found!

The smells of roasting turkey, stuffing
and cranberry sauce soon filled our home
as aunts, uncles, cousins and close family
friends came to share this Christmas Day,
good tiding were exchanged, and later all
would gather by the crackling fireplace
to sing songs of peace and good will as
day gave way to wintry night.

Christmas is such a special time, may
your memories be Merry and Bright!

T.Condon, rev Dec. 2000 (graphics rev Dec. 03