Winter arrived right on cue.
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, 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.
This was written several years ago when I was still under the influence of moving from a big eastern city to a wonderful small mountain town in Arizona. I was still seeing things in a pastoral setting in multicolored hues and an almost universal feeling of pride in the locale and friendliness across all lines of economic well-being. It’s very sad to observe how dramatic a change has taken place in the last few years due to a severe economic recession.
There is now a distinct division, a palpable if not physical separation between the major wealthy communities and the rest of the town. The worse the economy gets, the further the withdrawal of those still well off. The possibility of negative financial contamination from exposure to the middle class or lower seems evident. It appears that those still somewhat comfortably well-off clutch tighter and tighter to their assets in a protective, if not defensive, mode.
There are ample indications, mostly evident in a diminishing support of town businesses and activities. Costco, Bevmo, Target and others are thriving in the valley while more and more “Available” signs appear in empty store fronts here in Payson. Perishables and staples still sell well here, so a few stores like Safeway and Walmart remain crowded, and expensive automobiles and SUVs are spotted in their parking lots. Three-fifty a gallon gasoline doesn’t seem to be a deterrent when patronizing the discount stores ninety miles away, however.
Crowds attending such once celebrated events as The Electric Light Parade (free) and the Choral Society Christmas Concert (8 dollars) are noticeably smaller. Every charitable organization finds their budget in peril due to diminishing contributions.
The town muddles along, putting a weak smile on its face as best it can. Genuine well-wishes are heard often enough and hugs are still freely given. Regardless of the fears of many wealthy individuals, money (especially other people’s) is not an all- consuming drive among average individuals. Oh, it’s always a great topic, of course, but finding a way to make the best of things and keep old customs alive is given far more energy.
What people of great wealth never seem to get is that the masses are not out to steal that wealth. More power to anyone who has managed to amass a fortune. Hopefully the means to that end remain open and available to everyone. Squeezing the “buffalo off the nickel” in order to protect one’s assets is not only unnecessary, it is counter-productive, as lifestyle opportunities are reduced in proportion to a diminishing supporting class.
Re-distribution of wealth is not the great aim of the middle class, no matter how that term is pandered by insecure “defenders” of big money. Opportunity is the magic word - the possibility for improvement as a reward for hard and intelligent work. Upward mobility has always been the goal of the lower and middle classes – not usurpation. “Get a job!” is the blind cry of the rich. Those in lesser circumstances are crying, “Gladly! Show me some.”
It’s sad to see how hard times widen the gap between economic classes, taking common courtesies and good will along with the separation. Perhaps this is more noticeable in a small town than in a big city – not enough to motivate me to move back, of course. I still love all the good things I fell for when we first discovered this town, but a bit of the warmth and luster is missing this Christmas. I can tune out all the “Humbug”s coming from behind protective walls. It’s just that making the effort shouldn’t be necessary.
1 comment:
Just as I posted this, an anonymous individual paid off all lay-a-ways at Walmart. So.there is at least one person willing to part with some extra cash and do a nice thing. I wonder whether this person might have also spoken with friends about perhaps doing something similar in other needy areas. Evidently not.
At church today, the pastor announced that there is a $17,000.00 shortfall in the church budget which needs to be addressed by Jan.1. (One week away!) I know for a fact that several individuals in that congregation could write that check and not miss the money. My guess is that it won't happen, though.
My emphasis is more upon attitude, however, than solutions. All the money in the world won't solve all the world's problems, or at least not permanently. It would just seem like a better world, though, if the majority gave a damn.
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