The Citizen, 1989-12-22, Page 30PAGE 30- THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1989.
Christmas memories bring
a rich inheritance
Of all special days, Christmas
evokes the most memories. These
dreamlike excursions into a vanish
ed past are made of many things -
the merry blinking of lights gar
landed about a fragrant evergree;
the savor of cinnamon and nutmeg,
ginger and allspice adding their
scent and flavor to cookies cut in
festive shapes; the crackle of pine
needles underneath as little feet
grind them into the carpet while
exploring the world of wonders
under the tree.
Christmas memories, them
selves evanescent, are bound to
things material, which are yet more
fragile than the memories are -
ornaments of glistening crystal,
thin as paper; boldly striped candy
canes hung jauntily on a tree
branch; garlands of garnet-red
cranberries, draped gracefully
around the tree, can evoke a rush of
recollection with all its attendant
joys, beautiful if somewhat bitter
sweet.
Images of Christmas past are
composed as photographs by the
mind - of a church steeple soaring
white against the midnight sky as
bells ring in the first moments of
Christmas morning; of gaily wrap
ped presents artfully piled; of
family members gathered around a
long table, young and old coming
together to share this most moving
of holidays.
Christmas memories are made of
sounds and scents, sights and
tastes, bound together with good
feelings. They reach back together
with good feelings. They reach
back through the years and de
cades, to the earliest recalled
moments of childhood, and be
yond, to stories told of holiday
seasons long before, memories
passed on by parents and grand
parents, to become part of the
fabric of this most magical of
seasons.
thing that Christmas represents,
remembers most fondly the ritual
of the Christmas stocking, hung
lovingly on her bedroom doorknob
each Christmas Eve. Old enough to
know that Santa Claus existed only
in the realm of the heart and the
imagination, she was yet too young
to understand anything but the
excitement of the occasion. Its
moral reverberations, its deeper
meanings, were yet to be discover
ed.
Then dazzled by the wrappings
and the ribbons and the presents,
today she takes her greatest plea
sure in recreating that joy to share
it with others: Among them, her
10-month-old daughter experienc
ing her very first Christmas, and
her 78-year-old mother to whom
the holiday is just as wondrous as it
was in her own childhood.
She (the grandmother), in her
turn, remembers stuffing stockings
when she was young. All the
children in the family got good
things to eat - tangy oranges and
apples too big for little hands, and
colorful ribbon candy, handmade,
sticky and sweet. However, in a
not-quite-even exchange, humour
ously endearing, her father’s stock
ing was stuffed only with coal, the
traditional reward of bad boys.
The 10-month-old child, too
young to walk or talk or understand
what she is experiencing, over the
years will build her own store of
memories, borrowing from her
mother and grandmother, to create
an image of Christmas which is yet
uniquely hers. This treasure she
will be in a position to pass on in
turn, when the time is ripe, to her
own children and grandchildren.
For the sense of wonder and the
memories are the greatest gifts of
all, and for caring, thoughtful
people they are so easy - and so
enjoyable - to give.
Unquestionably, one of the chief
joys of Christmas is this sense of
continuity, of being part of a great
human chain which stretches
through the centuries, sharing
experiences, thoughts and desires,
and turning the most beloved of
these into cherished memories,
themselves ornaments on the tree
of time.
This reaching out, this joining of
hands, this communion of
thoughts, wishes and dreams is
what gives unity to the diversity of
Christmas, as it is celebrated
around the globe.
Thus, people from all over come
together at this magical time of
year to rejoice and to celebrate, to
recall and to make memories, and
their sense of an occasion celebrat
ed in common has the power to
overcome differences.
This rebirth of the human com
munity is the true wonder of
Christmas, and infuses the season
with the glow of childhood, as
glorious as it is innocent. It is the
stuff as from which dreams - and
memories - are made, and all the
more precious for that.
... and love to you and
yours this holiday season.
dBDASHWOOD
WINDOW AND DOOR CENTRE
Listowel Exeter Stratford
291-1612 235-0390 273-5757
Think
Think of the joy on that first Christmas Day,
Shepherds and Wisemen knelt to pray
By the manger, where baby Jesus slept,
Think of Joseph and Mary who with joy wept.
Gifts were presented to show love and joy
To Mary, Joseph and that beautiful boy.
Think of the love we can give today,
In deeds; not just gifts wrapped up so gay.
Christmas is here for you and me
Think of Jesus, when you trim the tree.
Remember to take a moment to pray
When celebrating Jesus' Birthday on Christmas day.
PEACE ON EARTH
TURNBERRY
ULPHOLSTERY
BRUSSELS 887-6073
Beth Knox,
Londesboro.
FROM THE MANAGEMENT & STAFF OF
CALLANDER
NURSING HOME
BRUSSELS
All Aboard For A
Merry Christmas!
Your friendship and support lets us know we're on the
right track. Many thanks and best wishes!
MANNING'S
LUMBER &
BUILDING
SUPPLIES
Blyth
523-9305