Christmas Memories
In the house where we lived when both of my sons were still at home, as
soon as the tree was in place and the lights strung on its branches
along with the cranberry ropes (wooden ones from Crate & Barrel,
not hand-strung fresh berries), the train tracks would be put together
and arranged in an oval around the tree. It was not a fancy train with
lots of accessories, just a simple Lionel with a few cars and
caboose--and, of course, a whistle. It was always a lot of trouble,
really, because sitting on carpet, the connections between tracks
inevitably became loose or a car jumped the tracks rather than doing
what it was supposed to do. Nevertheless, the tree was a necessary part
of our holiday decorating.
The house was a typical 1920s square, two/three story like many others in our neighborhood. The wall on the right had a woodburning fireplace and mantle at the center, flanked by bookcases and small, leaded glass windows. It was on the adjacent wall between the bookcase and the entrance to the dining room where the tree was placed most years The rest of the year, that corner was my reading spot where i spent many evenings reading. It was a cozy and peaceful spot that I remember with great affection.
On Christmas Eve, when we had returned from singing in the choir at the midnight service, we would spend some time there by the tree in front of the fire, often sipping eggnog and listening to Christmas music on the radio. Sometimes the train would chug and whistle around the tree in time--or not--with the carols.
Those days passed too soon, but many years later, in the Episcopal church where I was doing my internship, a couple of guys got an idea. A number of the pews had been temporarily roped off awaiting some overdue maintenance. They erected a platform on tp of those pews and set up a large display of trains. Beginning in Advent, those trains ran around that part of the nave before and after worship. Of course, the choir had to insist that they stop the whistling and chugging during warm-up!
I don't know that there is any spiritual message in this rambling. Just some joy at remembering. And since this Sunday is Gaudete Sunday, perhaps it is allowed. [Guadete or Rose Sunday, the visual manifestation of Gaudete or Joy--a break in what was formerly a more penitential observance of Lent. A day when the rose candle is lighted in the Advent wreath and rose vestments may be worn.]
The house was a typical 1920s square, two/three story like many others in our neighborhood. The wall on the right had a woodburning fireplace and mantle at the center, flanked by bookcases and small, leaded glass windows. It was on the adjacent wall between the bookcase and the entrance to the dining room where the tree was placed most years The rest of the year, that corner was my reading spot where i spent many evenings reading. It was a cozy and peaceful spot that I remember with great affection.
On Christmas Eve, when we had returned from singing in the choir at the midnight service, we would spend some time there by the tree in front of the fire, often sipping eggnog and listening to Christmas music on the radio. Sometimes the train would chug and whistle around the tree in time--or not--with the carols.
Those days passed too soon, but many years later, in the Episcopal church where I was doing my internship, a couple of guys got an idea. A number of the pews had been temporarily roped off awaiting some overdue maintenance. They erected a platform on tp of those pews and set up a large display of trains. Beginning in Advent, those trains ran around that part of the nave before and after worship. Of course, the choir had to insist that they stop the whistling and chugging during warm-up!
I don't know that there is any spiritual message in this rambling. Just some joy at remembering. And since this Sunday is Gaudete Sunday, perhaps it is allowed. [Guadete or Rose Sunday, the visual manifestation of Gaudete or Joy--a break in what was formerly a more penitential observance of Lent. A day when the rose candle is lighted in the Advent wreath and rose vestments may be worn.]
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