The Magic of Christmas
Nostalgic Reminiscence
The Christmas season is one of my favorite times of the year. As an adult with a family of my own, I’ve tried to carry on some of the traditions of my childhood — but, let’s be honest, I’ve never been able to fully replicate what this season truly means to me, and what’s the season is truly about. I often wished my son had the kind of childhood I had, especially around Christmas.
Perhaps I’ve caught the “good ole days” bug, but nevertheless.
Christmas in the Adirondack Mountains were magical and full of reverence and meaning.
Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, towns and villages were alive with lights, decorations, and music. People’s spirits were festive. There were sledding parties, Christmas parties, family gatherings, Christmas plays and musicals, caroling, ice skating parties, and on and on. It was a time the entire communities gathered together, spent time in celebration together. Unity in spirit. The atmosphere, serene and peaceful as the falling snow.
The churches here were the cornerstone of the Christmas season.
Everyone attended a church somewhere to watch children re-enact a baby’s birth, and to hear the children sing timeless songs.
Christmas Eve was one of my favorite days. It meant going to the candlelight service in our church which was located only a few miles from the majestic Whiteface mountain. I enjoyed watching the lighting of candles; not to mention, receiving my own lit candle. Later that evening, my siblings and I would gather together with mugs of hot cocoas and listen to daddy read about the birth of our Savior.
Of course, then it was going to bed and not being able to fall asleep in anticipation of what Santa would leave under the tree. 😊
It’s been impossible to recapture my own childhood experience for my son — as the world has changed dramatically since. But we’ve created our own set of traditions — and those are just as magical and meaningful.
