From Where I Sit

By Pat Spilseth, Columnist

Temperatures are plummeting and no snow coats our green grass with a white blanket. Are you one of many wishing for a white Christmas with gently falling flakes, mild temperatures and family and friends to celebrate the holiday? I think even snowbirds in Arizona, Texas, Florida and California get a bit nostalgic for snow when Christmastime arrives. Snow is a Christmas tradition, isn’t it?

This could be a brown Christmas…boohoo, but what will save the day for me is the joy I’ll feel seeing our grandkids excited about the decorated Christmas tree, the candles, the smells and all the relatives gathered together. It’s a joy to see them opening presents while “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World” are playing in the background.

You know the holidays are about making family memories. This year I get to have my 6- and 7-year-old granddaughters, Charli and Ellie, for a sleepover this weekend when we’ll decorate the tree, color Christmas pictures, read books together and make cookies with lots of frosting and decorations. I’ve been assembling the decorations of red hots, mini chocolate chips, sprinkles and coconut along with frosting, which the girls love to smear on their faces.

We’ll wear St. Lucia crowns since it’s St. Lucia Day on Dec. 13 when I used to have friends for a morning coffee before COVID ruined our gatherings. Every gal came with their own idea of a Lucia crown. We had crowns made out of greens and candles, a cowboy hat, candles made of dog bones. We had so much fun!

This year I won’t be making my annual krensakake, the 17 cake rings of marzipan decorated with Norwegian and Swedish flags. Delores Ewing and Georgia Gustavson were my inspirational bakers, but not this year…too many other things to do before the holiday passes.

Why is it that it’s so easy to get some bug to stifle the season’s merriment. I’ve had something that zaps my energy and wipes me out. It’s hard to feel that holiday joy when I’m feeling yucky.

    When I turned the calendar to December, I knew it was time to find the Christmas ornaments, decorate a tree, punch out each day on the Advent calendar (and eat the chocolate), remember treats for St. Nick and find our Christmas movies. In past years, we’ve had the best time at family gatherings when we show family movies from years back. The kids were little, and we were so much younger. Even our grown-up kids, Kate and Andy, can’t help but grin when they see themselves dressed in their Christmas sweaters (now considered ugly) belting out Christmas carols at the Christmas production they staged with their cousins. 

In the storage closet I search for the Bing Cosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney movie White Christmas. Every Christmas we play that old favorite about the two GI’s turned showbiz buddies who put on a show in a picturesque Vermont Inn. I still recall the words to my favorite songs from the movie: they’re all about loyalty, love and friendship. 

Amidst all the shopping frenzy, remember that the birth of the Christ Child is the reason we celebrate this season. Though some people greet others with the politically correct “Happy Holidays,” I’ll always say “Merry Christmas.” On Christmas Eve when “Silent Night” is sung and candles glow against the stained glass windows of a darkened church, who isn’t moved by the solemnity of the nativity scene with Mary, Joseph and the baby, the shepherds, angels and the Magi? May peace and good will come to all on this special night.                     

Whether we have snow this Christmas or not, enjoy celebrating with family and friends and remember the reason for the Christmas season, the birth of the Christ Child. Amid all the shopping, feasts, parties and concerts, remember…it’s not all about the presents.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

To contact Pat, email: pat.spilseth@gmail.com.