Christmas
Lights
By Mary Manners
It's that time of year again...a time for holiday baking and decorating, Christmas carols and lists for Santa, shopping, shopping, and...more shopping??
When the subject
of Christmas gifts comes up, most people think of packages wrapped in colorful
paper and shimmery bows, sitting under the Christmas tree, just waiting to be
opened.
When I think of
Christmas gifts, I think of my dad, who passed away fifteen years ago this
holiday season. He was a man of many gifts, including the joy he shared for the
traditions of Christmas.
Dad loved
light—especially the light that brightened a fresh-cut pine tree in honor of
the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Each December first, like
clockwork, Dad piled his family—all seven of us—into our Chevy station wagon
and drove us to the tree lot where, shivering in the Chicago-winter cold, we oohed and aahed over each and every tree until we found the perfect one.
Once home, with
the tree safely arranged in a metal stand and watered, Dad climbed the ladder
to our attic (a mysterious place, indeed) where the Christmas lights were
stored. He’d lower the battered cardboard box (re-used, season after season) to
the floor below and dust it off.
Then my brother
and sisters—five of us—gathered ’round him in the living room and waited, eyes
huge with wonder, as he carefully unraveled the strands of lights and tested
each one. No matter how stubborn the bulbs, dad always managed to get them
working.
Beautiful, vibrant
colors turned the room to a kaleidoscope, dancing over walls and windows with
the feel of winter magic. One by one, my siblings and I each took the place of
honor beside Dad, helping him to adorn the tree with light. Pine sap clung to
our fingers, but we didn’t care. All the while, our hearts soared with
happiness and child-like wonder.
Finally, dad
gently gathered the Christmas star from the box. Hushed with awe, we waited
while Dad chose one of us to hoist to his shoulders for the greatest
thrill—placing the treasured beacon of light—the Baby Jesus Star—atop the
highest limb. Somehow, Dad always sensed who needed that extra touch of
attention, and there was never any argument.
With the lights in
place (just in time for nightfall—always) we circled the tree and held hands to
sing Silent Night. In the earliest years, the tune didn’t always carry and the
words were sometimes off, but Dad didn’t care. He knew we understood what the
tree—and especially the lights—symbolized…the birth of our Lord and Savior,
Jesus. The most wonderful gift of all!
~~~~~
Mary Manners is a
country girl at heart who has spent a lifetime sharing her joy of writing. She
has two sons and a daughter, as well as three beautiful grandchildren. She
currently lives along the sunny shores of Jacksonville Beach with her husband
Tim.
A former
teacher as well an intermediate school principal, Mary spent three decades
teaching math and English to students from kindergarten through middle grades.
While growing up in Chicago and as a student at the University of Illinois,
Mary worked her way through a variety of jobs including paper girl, figure
skating instructor, pizza chef, and nanny. Many of these experiences led to
adventures that may be found between the pages of her stories. Mary loves long
sunrise runs—she’s completed three marathons—ocean sunsets and flavored coffee.
Find out
more about Mary on her website: www.MaryMannersRomance.com. “Like” her author
page on Facebook and follow her on Twitter.
~~~~~
When Emilee Lancaster’s aunt calls her home to Hope Creek for the
holidays, Emmy readily agrees to assist with a charity event at the family
theater—until she finds herself front-and-center stage with her high school
flame, Jayson Taylor. She’s not thrilled about the pairing, but she’s made a
promise to her aunt, and unlike Jayson, she keeps her promises.
Jayson Taylor makes his living building sets for Dahlia Brewster's
Family Theater. When the Christmas show's emcee falls ill, Dahlia asks Jayson
to step from the backstage and into the limelight. He's more comfortable
working behind the scenes, but the country-singing superstar has always treated
him like a favorite son, so Jayson reluctantly agrees. Center-stage at
Christmas—especially beside dream-chasing Emmy Lancaster, who once ran off and
broke his heart—is not where he planned to be.
But God has other plans, and what happens when the curtain falls
and the stage lights dim truly reflects the heart of this holiday season.
