It’s Christmas time in our home school! We have pulled out all the boxes of decorations. Let the Christmas decorating begin. Pictures come off the walls and knick-knacks come off the shelves to be replaced by Christmas wreaths, stuffed bears, and all kinds of “Christmasy” decor. We love Christmas in our house.
There is a transformation that takes place on Brightview Drive where we live. A Christmas village comes to lives with villagers, fruit stands, and carolers by an iron lamp post. My favorite is the ice cream shoppe that lights up. You can see the ice cream man dipping a cone for the pretty girl at the counter. There are little bridges and churches. In another place, snow men line up to dance the night away. They sway and smile and fill the table tops with blue and white crispness. When I gaze over at snowman land, I pretend that I am living in a snowy place, rather than sunny Florida.
The shelves in my kitchen are filled with stuffed bears of all sizes and shapes. There is Katie Beth’s first Christmas bear whose hat has “1986” embroidered on it. Mr. and Mrs. Velveteen rabbit gaze across the kitchen at Grandma Bear, with her pillbox hat and stole, and Grandpa Bear who grunts when you talk to him. There are a few snowmen and penguins, but most big fat fluffy bears who want to be hugged and cuddled. They stand guard in the kitchen, daring anyone to not smile a Christmas smile.
Near the Christmas quilt, another display takes on a life of its own: the village at Bethlehem with a town gate, stable, manger, several homes, animals, townspeople, Roman soldiers, and angels announcing the greatest story ever told with a whimsical twist. I love my Bethlehem town, a gift from my sweet husband.
Merry Christmas to all you dear friends. May your home be jolly and happy this season!
Merey
(Meredith Ludwig Curtis)
