In my collection of ephemera, there is a booklet entitled, “Christmas with Charles Dickens.” Undated, it is “foxed” with yellow age spots and has been in the family for as long as I can remember. It was produced by two women who owned a book selling business, one of whom was a friend of my mother. I’d like to share the “Prologue” with you. It is as follows:

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Then, the booklet explains that the writing is offered in print type that is 12 point Bodoni, spaced in the same manner as the original edition of “A Christmas Carol,” published in 1843.

The next page goes on to say that Dickens’ story did more for Christmas than for any other piece of literature ever written, save the Holy Bible. Continuing the discussion, a synopsis of the story is offered.

The booklet recounts the lesser-known Dickens’ stories, “Cricket on the Hearth,” and “Pickwick Papers.” What a delightful bit on writing these few pages offer, complete with wonderful illustrations! The cover of the booklet has a tasseled binding and a front cover that has an elegant pen and ink, colored drawing of a horse and coach, with a be-scarved trumpeter, standing on top of the conveyance.

This booklet was evidently a product that was printed to be given away for the purpose of promoting this particular business. What charm, what elegance, what class!

The epilogue of the small booklet reminds us to live each day as we do during the Christmas season, “governed by the spirit of Christian charity, which is the spirit of Christmas itself.”

Dickens singlehandedly took on the Puritans who had formerly banned the celebration of Christmas in any non-religious way. That included feasting, closing shops, or lighting Yule candles. Dickens transformed the holiday into a happy time of sharing. In the words of Dickens’ small character, Tiny Tim, “God Bless Us, Everyone!”

Patricia Cummings

Everyone loves a Christmas stocking! Isn’t it fun to discover all the hidden treasures? We think of stockings for children, but adults enjoy them, too! Tradition has it that an orange is to be placed in the toe of the stocking. When I was growing up, there was always a shiny apple, something chocolate, a small hand-held game, and a new toothbrush.

Stockings are getting larger all the time, as are Halloween collection bags! So, there is plenty of room to add a paperback book, a small stuffed animal, a new watch, or a pair of earrings, and a box of crayons, or colored pencils for drawing.

At a time when entertainment prices are skyrocketing, think about giving gift certificates to the movies, or a bookstore, or purchase tickets to a concert. Provide a gift membership to a museum. Add a music CD, a bobblehead doll, or a pair of woolen socks. A gift subscription to a newspaper, or to a magazine that addresses the interests of the receiver, is always welcome.

Red and green foil-wrapped Hershey kisses seem to be a “hit,” as are the gold-foil wrapped chocolate “coins.” Of course, for those who want a dramatic presentation of an engagement ring, that could be tucked into a stocking, too!

Fruit for health, chocolate for happiness, music of some kind to give us joy – these are the main things that come to mind when I think of Christmas stockings. A membership to a fitness club or to a local hotel swimming pool could be a very welcome gift for those who want to tone up in the new year.
Oh, another idea is to make up a little needlework kit for a child to embroider, perhaps a bookmark or some other small project that is readily finished.

Children who would like to give a gift but don’t have a lot of money of their own can make a little booklet and write down chores that they will gladly do, such as taking out the trash or doing the dishes. Alternatively, the child could promise to do his/her homework without being nagged, or to just pick up his or her own “stuff” around the house, on a regular basis.
If you use your creativity intuition, you are bound to please the loved ones on your Christmas stocking list.

While you are at it, don’t forget to bake some yummy sugar cookies for Santa! My mom always found that while he liked her cookies, he preferred her delectable coconut layer cake with buttercream frosting and apricot preserves in the middle! Have fun!

Merry Christmas!

Patricia Cummings

This photo shows a partial view of the extensive (yearly) light display at the LaSalette Shrine in Enfield, NH. Bus loads of people come from as far away as Canada to enjoy the testimony of faith.

Every Christmas season, we make our way to “Our Lady of LaSalette” shrine in Enfield, New Hampshire, across from Enfield Shaker Village on Lake Mascoma. The side of a very tall hill is always decorated with many colored lights in the shapes that form trees, hearts, poinsettias, candles, bells, a wreath, musical notes, an anchor, angels and words, including “Joy,” “Faith,” “Love,” “Peace,” “The Wise Still Seek Him,” and “Come Rejoice.” With a carpet of snow that glistens like little diamonds, the area is a sight to behold.

Additional features of the place, run by the LaSalette Brothers, are a dining room where one can purchase loaves of homemade bread, hot dogs, hot mulled cider, and homemade cookies. A gift shop sells many religious items from rosary beads to crucifixes to music, books, jewelry, manger scenes, and more. Outside there are some creches of Nativity scenes set up – one for the Magi including a magnificent camel, and another for the traditional Christmas scene of the Holy Family.

The Three Magi bring gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the Christ Child.

We are drawn to the place partly due to our own early religious training, but especially because it is uplifting and inspiring to see the light display that is such a strong expression of faith. I am pleased to know that my late brother, Jack, was chosen to serve as one of the altar boys for the first Mass ever said in the LaSalette chapel. At the time, he was an altar boy in the Diocese of Manchester, New Hampshire. I may have know what year that was, at one time, but if so, I’ve since forgotten.

Many of the “pilgrims,” like us, show up at the shrine toting cameras to try to capture the moment. A number of businesses throughout the state underwrite the LaSalette light display. If you are in the area, it is well worth the trip.

All of the photos shared here are the work of James Cummings. This Nativity scene reminds us that “Christ” is at the center of the holiday’s celebration.

Patricia Cummings

During the holiday season, we often recall people and events of the past that comprise our collective “Christmas Memories.” Unless my experience has been very unlike yours, some of these recollections may be terrific, while other thoughts could just go away and that would be an improvement.

For some reason this morning, I woke up thinking about polar bears. Maybe it is because I so enjoy the polar bear Christmas ornament from the Smithsonian gift shop that my sister gave me one year. Perhaps it is because of the oversize and beautiful book about Polar Bears that we gave as a Christmas gift to someone who really loves the bears. Upon opening the gift, she said, “You know, this book is very generic levitra suppliers because, with global warming, the bears are drowning and may not be with us much longer.” Sad, but true.

I began to think of the other end of the world where Penquins live, the Antarctic, where the environment (global warming) is also having an impact. My late uncle, a NCO in the U.S. Army was responsible for sled dogs, in expeditions he went on with Admiral Bryd. In fact, I am proud to know that “Dolleman Island,” was named after my uncle Hendrik, (my mother’s sister’s husband, who originally came from the Netherlands.)
I remember him being gone at Christmas time a few years. Before he left, I would always ask him to bring me home a Penguin. Of course, I was quite small then, and didn’t realize the ramifications of this childhood fantasy. When he would come home, penguin-less, he would say, “Sorry, Kind, maybe next time.” (I assume that “Kind,” pronounced “kent,” means child.)

Still thinking about polar bears and penguins, Al Gore’s campaign to save the environment comes to mind, as well as his film, “An Inconvenient Truth.” In a sense, it is too bad that we have come to distrust public officials, perhaps even former ones. Some may suspect that those individuals have some hidden agenda or “ax to grind.” Frankly, I am surprised that more people are not jumping up and down and reacting more strongly to the information set forth in the film, a real call to do something positive, while we still can.
Personally, I am happy that someone is speaking out. I do hope that the habitat of both the polar bears and penguins can be saved. Ironically, although these creatures live at each end of the world, and do not cohabitate, they are often seen together on Christmas cards!
The Christmas memories that hold the most meaning for me are simple ones: attending Midnight Mass, which meant that I could stay up late, just like the grown-ups; making cut-out Christmas cookies with my mom; enjoying her Coconut Cake and Stollen, two family traditions; unwrapping dolls, and maybe a new sled or skates; and just having more family around. I also remember that my brother, Jack, would stay awake, bleary-eyed, to listen for Santa to land on the roof. The next morning, he would report that he had actually heard the sleigh bells! That was the magic of Christmas!
Whether you are well or ill, surrounded by many people or by no one, please make the time to do a few things to bring joy into your own life and that of others. Call an old friend, put some $$ in the Salvation Army bucket, read an uplifting book, watch the old, tried and true, Christmas specials, like “It’s a Wonderful Life,” or knit a scarf! The fact of the matter is, you are still here, and that is cause for celebration! Please make this Christmas one to remember!

Patricia