The Habit of Remembering: Christmases Long, Long Ago- Part 4

"He was checked in his transports by the churches ringing out the lustiest peals he had ever heard.  Clash, clang, hammer; ding, dong, bell!  Bell, dong, ding; hammer, clang, clash!  Oh, glorious, glorious!
Running to the window, he opened it, and put out his head.  No fog, no mist; clear, bright, jovial, stirring, cold; cold, piping for the blood to dance to; Golden sunlight; Heavenly sky; sweet fresh air; merry bells.  Oh, glorious.  Glorious!
"What's to-day?" cried Scrooge, calling downward to a boy in Sunday clothes, who perhaps had loitered in to look about him.
"Eh?" returned the boy, with all his might of wonder.
"What's to-day, my fine fellow?" said Scrooge.
"To-day?" replied the boy.  "Why, Christmas Day."

"It's Christmas Day!" said Scrooge to himself.  "I haven't missed it.  The Spirits have done it all in one night. They can do anything they like.  Of course they can.  Of course they can.  Hallo, my fine fellow!"    ~~~A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens

You don't always need the Three Christmas Ghosts

to remind you of the ago that has been in your life...
Sometimes all you need us reminders that you can hold in your hand.

     Once upon there was a Little Girl who grew up in Syracuse. And while the majority of people she knew reset their calendars on January 1st,  She knew better: it really restarted on December 25th, Christmas Day.

     All year long she looked forward to Christmas time in Syracuse. She loved to see the tree lit up in Clinton Square. Sometimes her Aunt would round the block one more time so they could get an extra look at all the decorations. There were snowflakes on the lampposts, angels on thee Onondaga Savings Bank, but best of all was the tree. When it was all lit up, with the Nativity quietly placed at the bottom of the tree, she knew the best time of year had begun. Christmas could be seen throughout the streets.

     First there were concerts at school concerts. From her music teacher David Rogers at Bellevue and Roberts school, she learned not only how to sing well, but a myriad of Christmas songs that brought delight to all the guests at school concerts. Everything from "Winter Wonderland" to "The Christmas Song" to "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" was carefully memorized and sung. Christmas time had begun.

     Then there was the music at home and church. Whether it was the small bell choir when she was nearly two or the sounds of her mother and grandmother practicing for the upcoming Christmas Cantata at church, music filled the house throughout the season. It was fun to sit in the pews and hear the choir practice their various parts blending well known carols into beautifully woven melodies and harmonies. Christmas could be heard in the air.

     There were also the Christmas plays. There was the one year her church set up Christmas vignettes in each of the classrooms. The Little Girl was surprised that year by being chosen to be a wiseman that year. Another boy from her class was selected to be a wiseman as well. Puzzled, the Little Girl asked who the third wiseman was going to be. She learned it would be the son of the new pastor. The first time she met the third wiseman was on the day of the play. It wasn't hard standing there with a box of gold, so he really didn't need much preparation for the part. Then there was the year a student from Syracuse University help put on a lavish production complete with amazing costumes and set. It was titled "And A Little Child Shall Lead Them". She got to play a child with a group of the children around a Nativity scene who showed kindness to a homeless man who was played by Miller Butler (also known as Matches the Clown in the Syracuse Fire Department). She also learned a song written for the play which the Little Girl can sing to this day. These plays inspired the Little Girl to write a couple of Christmas plays of her own when she was in high school.

     And then there was cookie baking from the old family recipe. Grandma's cookie cutter would come out along with the well worn card holding her recipe. Bells and stars, angels and hearts would make lovely shapes in the rolled-out dough. Then each cookie would be topped with--not frosting or sprinkles--but with powered flavored Jell-O. The cookies would be put into a tin for Christmas Day. The sugar cookie scent of Christmas would fill the room...and the taste of Christmas, our tummies.

     Then there was Christmas Eve service. The Little Girl and her Big Sister would dress up in their pretty dresses and go to church in the evening. The church lights would be dimmed and handmade wooden candelabras would flank the front of the sanctuary and light the room. Carols would be sung, music would be played and Luke 2 would be read. It really was Christmas time now! Then the Little Girl and her family would go home.

      If they got dressed into their pajamas quickly enough, sometimes her mother would let her and her Big sister stay up just a bit longer and just watch the tree. The bubble lights, the twinkling lights, the familiar ornaments and blue spinning star were a sight to behold late at night. And then it was bedtime.

     On Christmas morning, stockings could be opened first thing in the morning. Her stocking made by her Aunt still is hung each Christmas. The best part, she had to agree with Amy March, was the orange or clementine in toe of the stocking.

     After breakfast was eaten, the Little Girl and her sister could open presents. Now some children like Christmas for the presents, but she loved it for seeing the look of joy on people's faces when they received a gift. The year her little brother got his first Hess truck, his excitement was contagious. 

     Then was the best part of the day---it was over to her Grandparents' or Great Grandparent's house. Great Grandma's house on Beard St was the best as it beautiful oak woodwork and a curious fireplace that couldn't hold any wood (it was gas and never lit). And there, the rest of the family--Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins-- would gather to exchange gifts and spend time with each other. Also Great Grandma had a sweet tooth. She usually had a dishes of Christmas candies and ribbon candy that could be nibbled away as the day wore on. 

On the Christmas she was almost four, her Aunt made her and her sister matching dresses, hers was green, her sister's was brown. The Little Girl loved that dress so much she kept it through the years.

Christmas love could be felt all through the house. A new "year" had officially begun.

The Little Girl grew up, married, and had her own family, but not much has changed. She still looks forward to the lights, the music, the baking, and the Message of Christmas each year. Now her Little Ones look forward to Christmas with her as well, setting their internal clocks by December 25th. And what better time start anew that with the birth of a Child.And Like Scrooge after the night with his three visitors, don't miss on the sights and sounds of the day, and strive to remember the spirit of the season all year round.