Walking the crowded sidewalks of Swiss Village, we didn’t mind the cold, as we stopped by warming fires or went into little shops for a cup of hot chocolate. The myriad colored lights and other decorations created a perfect “Alpine” setting, and more and more people arrived to mingle in the parking lot and occasionally stop and chat with good friends. Santa arrived in a fire truck, and hundreds of families urged their children forward to attempt an up-front place in line to talk with him. Somewhere, Norman Rockwell smiled, and authors of Christmas songs and tales nodded, “Yes.”
On a cold winter night, a week later, a small crowd stood around a beautifully lit tree in what some would call the center of town and sang carols. A harmonic small choir from the high school led the way.
To cap it all off, the next night an “Electric Light Parade” was held on old Main Street. As darkness fell, cars, wagons, trucks, even baby strollers came rumbling down the street accompanied by horns, shouts and carolers. Any and every thing with wheels was covered in lighted decorations of every possible design. Bands played and folks marched, skipped and strolled down what was once the center of Old Payson. It seemed like most of the town was either in the parade or cheering from the sidewalks. And, yes, it was cold, but great fun.
Small town Christmas - special small town Christmas, I think - here in the mountains high above the big city. Here, warmth has a meaning far beyond temperature. The clear air provides a perfect atmosphere for radiance and illumination. Sounds are clearer, smells are sharper, handshakes firmer, hugs more freely given, and smiles more genuine.
As “The Cable Guy” might say, “I don’t care who you are, that’s good stuff.”
And this is a major point, I believe. I don’t care who you are, the sights and sounds and overall ambiance of small town Christmas, at least in Payson, Arizona, cannot fail to touch the good places in whatever heart comes upon them.
It is, of course, a high holy day for Christians. It has, however come to be a major occasion for much of mankind simply for the release of good will, positive values and a wonderful celebration of beauty and excitement during the darkest and coldest period of the year. Every form of religion has its special days, and rightly so. The magnificence of Christmas has, however, grown beyond small sacred observations once carefully nurtured through difficult times. Its appeal is far too broad to be confined. Its universality was, and is, inevitable.
Christians should not be too hard on themselves or others for the vast secular displays of lights, ornaments, decorations, or the abundance of gift giving. The spirit of the season calls for it. It’s “an outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible grace.” This is a phrase that goes back to St. Augustine, describing a sacrament. I think a case could be made for it as a description of the Christmas celebration. I’m quite certain that a devout person can make the distinction. Folks who claim no religious affiliation at all still feel a stirring within which calls for expression.
In any event, the festivities during these few weeks are ample proof of the ultimate goodness which is contained within most of mankind. Gifts, large and small, are the order of the day, and good will is the lubricant. Happiness and gaiety are chosen over dour existence. It is a cold and sad heart, indeed, which can utter, “Bah Humbug!”
Soon enough, we will retreat into our own personal realities. We will fight the battles and do the work that each of our lives demand. There will be no lack of generosity or caring, no dampening of personal celebrations, no less anticipation of a better world to come, but
for the most part, the gatherings will be small, and the outpourings will be meager by comparison. The coming year, 2010, appears more looming than inviting. Our best is always better than our worst, however.
Christmas is the one great occasion which seems to invite everyone to the table in some way or another. It is a wonderful communal affair, more enjoyed because of the great mingling of divergent folks in a universal and inclusive happy event.
If anyone doubts that Christmas is alive and well, let them come to Payson, Arizona.
No comments:
Post a Comment