Christmas at our house was a quiet evening steeped in tradition. We celebrated Christmas in a strong religious context, just our immediate family, comprised of my mom and my grandparents.
The year is 1954 and I was five years old, still living in Germany.
I remember long winters of ice and snow in the streets, walking home on cobble-stoned sidewalks from an afternoon of sledding or ice skating with the neighbor kids.
Painting by Thomas Kincade - Spirit of Christmas -
The largest store in our small town set up a Christmas Wonderland, complete with two trains taking up three large windows. My feet turned to ice while I pressed my nose against the window display dreaming about the huge doll house, dolls, furniture and porcelain coffee service.
Christmas was a magical time of the year, huge wet snow flakes falling without a sound. Dusk transforming the rows of houses into a Thomas Kinkade painting. Lights and shadows behind the lace curtains in the window panes made me wonder about the lives of the people within.
At our catholic school, religion was taught by a young priest, who wove a colorful, inspirational bible story. His enthusiasm made the bible come alive. Miracles were possible. Compassion for others and the spirit of giving not just at Christmas time ......
In art class, we cut out silver and gold stars. I was spellbound by tales of the animals in the forest who celebrated Christmas. As Christmas drew near, the manger became a focus, the straw in the crib, which animals were present when Jesus was born, the miraculous star above, the beauty of the angels and the light surrounding Mary and Jesus.
In the school yard and at church we talked about the meaning of Christmas, wondering if we had been good enough children this year, comparing our wish lists.
Written by Rose H. copyright 2008
Image from the Kinkade galleries website - painting SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS by Thomas Kinkade for purchase at http://www.gallerydirectart.com/dealer-gallery-of-fine-art-prints---posters-thomas-kinkade.html.
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Comments: 20
A Notable in Gather Writing Essentials, Wednesday
Kerrell, Dorine and Dagmara - I'm still a big fan of Christmas:) and so I wanted to write a little about my childhood and how it was - many years ago.
Kinkade - well - my BF thinks he's too commercial - but I like his fairy tale images anyway, he is indeed a painter of light.
On to the next............
thanks for posting to christmasmemory.gather.com