The Eighth Tribe, 1978 (5. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1978-12-01 / 12. szám
Page 4 THE EIGHTH TRIBE December, 1978 CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS — A Season Almost Everyone Can Enjoy The Christmas season raises expectations in people of all ages, faiths, and nationalities. There are very few, indeed, who do not look forward eagerly in oneway or another to the holidays, do not anticipate the wealth of sensations, the multitudes of joys that make up that great, big, brilliantly wrapped package we know as “Christmas.” For older people, Christmas is a time for nostalgia, a chance to look back on the pleasures of the past, to revel in memories that arc more and more special as the years go by. For children, Christmas is a time of anticipation, an opportunity to look forward to a myriad of experiences, both large and small, that will eventually become their past to look back on, gladly and fondly. Any Christmas is successful if it matches the precious recollections of the old and fulfills the sugarplum dreams of the young and innocent. Memories of Christmas are like family heirlooms, glittering ornaments on a stately tree that are passed down lovingly from generation to generation. They are somewhat faded pictures in the album of the past, perpetuated, almost as bright as ever, though retelling to the young. So many elements make up the holiday season, elements that are integral parts of the abundant, joyous memories to be treasured for years to come. There are sights and smells and tastes, hundreds and hundreds of things which, all together, form the unique entity that is Christmas. When the Christmas season opens, the gay garlands of green and red lights go up on Main Street, becoming incandescent in the misty twilight of a frosty winter evening. Shop windows take on a festive air, those that are simply decorated as well as those that are elaborately arranged with intricate, fantasyfilled dioramas. The aroma of pine is everywhere. Fir branches festoon the lofty ceilings of large department stores where happily frenetic crowds throng the aisles in search of the special gift for that special person. Outside, the streets are scented with roasting chestnuts, peanuts, other taste treats particular to the time of year. Santas, of every shape and size, stand guard over chimneys and kettles and remind the endless stream of passers-by that Christmas is a time for generosity to those who are in need. Suddenly, the home front is a cheerful flurry of activity. Fireplaces, soon to be hung with brightly colored stockings which Santa will stealthily fill, blaze cheerily on cold evenings in anticipation of the Yule log. The smells of baking and cooking waft through the air as grandma and mom prepare their own special recipes: frosted gingerbread cookies in fanciful shapes; luscious buttery cookies decorated with colored sugar; sweet, sticky fruit cake, and brandied mincemeat pies. Everyone begins dreaming of turkey with stuffing and cranberry sauce; plump, glazed ham studded with cloves; creamy eggnog, and old-fashioned plum pudding—all the traditional Christmas dinner treats that are food for smiles. Christmas tree ornaments, collected over the years, are taken out of storage lovingly in preparation for the tree itself, which will majestically dominate the scene. The rich, joyous sounds of carols are ever-present. Everyone, from the Santa at the corner to the neighborhood merchant, seems to have a tune on his or her lips. Everywhere, bells are ringing. Sprigs of holly and mistletoe find their way to the oddest places as December passes. Everything reminds one that it is, in truth, “the season to be jolly.” As the great day comes closer and closer, the excitement builds. Everyone glows with the dual joys of giving and receiving. Junior dreams, perhaps, of the new train set he hopes to find under the tree; Mom, of his face as he opens the large, somewhat unwieldy box that means so much. All dream of the family reunion they have been eagerly awaiting for months. And then, at long last, Christmas arrives, fulfilling the fondest wishes, making the dearest dreams come true and becoming the material of which memories are made. With so much preparation and a lot of love, this Christmas will be the Christmas to remember — always. Peace Aj Christmas settles over the laryd, be at peace with yourself, . . . discover true joy.
