Holiday ABC's....

V = Voices Do you hear the voices of the season? The laughter, the stories, the songs? Christmas at the House of Snyder is, as is true with most family gatherings, a loud, raucous, laughter-infused affair. None of us would have it any other way. It seems that at this time of year it is easier to still hear the voices and laughter of the many who have passed on. Listen.

W = Winter Snow on trees and rooftops; bundling up in coats and scarves and gloves; air so cold you can see your breath --- all this makes you want to get inside and get warm by beverage, in front of a fireplace, or in the company of others.

X = The Greek letter, “Chi” written in English as X When I was young and impressionable, I was offended by people who would write X-Mas instead of Christmas. Then I learned that “X” is how one writes the Greek letter Chi that stands for Christ. We get so bothered by little things and forget what really matters --- how we live and the call to love will make it clear to everyone the why of the season.

Y = You So much of this season is what you choose to make it. So, how goes your holiday?

Z = Zither You thought I wouldn’t be able to find a “z” word, didn’t you??? Even though I have zero musical ability, I always thought (and really still do) that it would be fantastic to be able to sing and play a musical instrument and entertain. In trying to assist with that dream, one Christmas my parents bought me a “Zither,” is a small, lap-held, harp instrument. To play it, you would put the music sheet under the strings and follow the notes that were color-coded. Sounds simple --- did I mention my total lack of musical ability. Yet, one can still dream….

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Holiday ABC's ....

Q = Quilt What’s better than on a cold winter’s night wrapping up in a big, warm, quilt?? That speaks of comfort, security, and home --- all the qualities of this holiday season.

R = Rudolph Of the many holiday specials, one of my favorites is RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER. I adore his tiny, nasal-y voice. The underlying meaning that the one left out, labeled, and living on the “island of misfit toys” is the very same one who comes through in the storm and brings Christmas is a story that is as old as the Gospel…in fact, it’s at the heart of the Gospel.

S = Star My father was very talented in the art of carpentry. One Christmas season, he made a four-foot star out of wood and white lights and silver tinsel and hung it on the second level of the front of our house. It looked fantastic --- simple, subtle and stunning. Several years ago, my brother found the star and took it to his house which is an old farmhouse that sits back off the road behind a few large fields. He now puts up the star and one can see it from the highway; from that distance it looks as if it is hanging in the air.

T = Tradition Part of what makes this season are the traditions that are followed; like the Christmas Eve candlelight service and hanging the ornaments that go back generations. To keep things lively it is necessary to introduce new traditions. When her grandchildren were little, my mother introduced the “Pickle Prize” to our family. She bought a green, glass pickle ornament and would hide it on the Christmas tree. Whoever found the pickle received the “pickle prize present.” As was the case with all she did, my mother took anything done for her family with a committed effort. She hid that pickle ornament very well --- I’m talking deep within the boughs and branches of the evergreen. The pickle ornament always was found by one of the grandchildren. However, the coolest part was the “pickle prize” was always a new and fun board game that would gather the entire family to play and laugh and be together --- my Mom was a very wise woman.

U = Unwrap It’s important to wrap one’s gifts because it is such a “Wow moment” when you come downstairs Christmas morning and gaze upon all the beautifully wrapped presents stacked neatly beneath the tree. It is a total rush moment when one is given the “OK, you can unwrap your presents now” invitation and you literally rip into it!

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Holiday ABC's....

M = Magic When I was about nine or ten I received a magic kit for my birthday. It was a grand toy and I enjoyed the many parts and items the kit contained; also being able to do some basic magic was a real kick and an attention grabber --- perfect for a little kid. Christmas is magical and here’s to those who make the magic that brightens the holiday: To everyone who eats the cookies and drinks the milk being sure to leave a few crumbs on the plate; to everyone who leaves a trail of glitter heading up the chimney or out the front door; to everyone who creatively hides the “Elf on the Shelf” in refrigerators, hanging from lights, and behind cereal boxes; to everyone who labels a gift “From Santa;” and to my father who somehow one Christmas left sleigh tracks and deer prints on the roof of our house….magic.

N = Nativity It is set-up on mantels and tabletops and in front yards (although I love the inclusiveness of the scene, a front yard nativity that has a blown-up Snoopy or Frosty nearby tends to take away from the moment ever so slightly). I always enjoy the live nativity scenes and am doubly impressed by those who have an actual baby in the manger. I never understood why the blond hair and blue-eyed girl was always chosen to play Mary, so, I always asked the dark haired and dark-eyed teen to play the part because I found it more realistic to the Jewish backdrop of the story.
One of the most moving and stay-with-you-nativities was the one a clergy friend of mine used to bring the story to life for her impoverished, inner-city congregation. The setting was an abandoned building; the couple were teenage runaways; the child was laid in an old crate and swaddled in oil-stained rags; the animals were a few rats, a stray dog and a dove; the shepherds were from the corner bar and were joined by the town prostitute and those who lived in the crack house that came faithfully to adore him.

O = Orange On Christmas morning prior to breakfast, we were allowed to open our stockings. There were always great little toys, card games, pencils, candy canes, chocolate and, no matter what, my Mom always included and stuffed into the toe of the stocking a nice, big orange. Christmas morning is no reason to avoid healthy fruit.

P = Prophets It is during this season of the Christian year that we pay the most attention to the Old Testament prophets and notably Isaiah; it is he who pens many of the lyrics that Handel set to music and it is Isaiah who provides the wonderful visions of peace: a lion and lamb lying down together, swords being beaten into plowshares and war not being learned anymore. Seems to me, the words of the prophets needs spoken year round until the fullness of their prophecy comes to pass.