Hometown Christmas

There's something extraordinarily special about celebrating the holidays in a small town.  Our suburban town center is quaint and humble.  There's no Gap or Starbucks.  It's not fancy, nor big.  But at Christmas time it feels magical.  Wreath's hang from the lampposts, neighbors light up their lawns.  The first weekend in December we welcome Santa to town with a huge parade.  Jane had a ball as she collected candy canes and peppermints and waved to floats decked out in green and red.

Finally the firetrucks started to come and every child knew that Santa was to follow.   But it was the moment right before, as one of the trucks played "Here Comes Santa Claus", that got me choked up.  Maybe it was the excitement on Jane's face, maybe it was the lost feeling of the joy of Santa that came rushing back at that moment.

Friday night I took Jane into town for the lighting of the Christmas tree.  The choir sang, the mayor wished everyone a Merry Christmas, and Santa arrived via firetruck in time to light up the tree.  We enjoyed Christmas cookies and watched the children visit with Santa.  (We're still in the, "I'll look at Santa but from a safe distance" stage!) 

The night gave a true meaning to the song verse, "In the air, there's a feeling of Christmas!"