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| Category: | Biographical Non-Fiction |
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Posted: | December 21, 2020 Views: 41 |
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Watching Christmas Eve movies
"Christmas Movies"
by Mary Vigasin
On Christmas Eve, I just leave on the tree lights and watch "A Christmas Carol." It must be the 1954 version with Alastair Sims.
But as midnight nears, there is another movie I watch every year. I know it so well that I can repeat every scene.
In this movie, I am at my childhood church for Christmas Mass. I am sitting in the pew, dangling my feet. I cannot see the Christmas celebration, as there are adult heads in the way. But then towards, the end of the Mass comes my favorite part the singing of "Adeste Fideles." Everyone stands up to sing, and I am lost in the land of giants around me. I fast forward to all the years of singing that song at Mass until as a young adult, I stand up to sing. I most likely am blocking another child's line of sight.
In the next scene, I am five years old and walking through Jordan Marsh's Enchanted Village. Here animated figures are viewed in Yuletide scenes. At the end of the walk is the man himself, Santa Claus. I let him know all my Christmas wishes.
After the visit to Santa, I go to the Boston Common. A trip to downtown in the 1950's had to include a walk through Boston Common. Most of the trees had Christmas lights, including a large Christmas tree at the beginning of the park. I saw real reindeers and life size statues of the three Wisemen on their camels. Christmas Carols sung by an animated choir filled the air. The statues of the donkey, Mary and Joseph looked so real, as if they were traveling and looking for a room at the inn.
And then, surrounded by a small crowd, there was a Nativity Manger with life size figures, including shepherds with their sheep, and angels.
The finale of my memories shows me and my younger sister finding Santa Claus had visited, and we are screaming with delight as we headed towards the tree.
My movie of my Christmas memories has ended and I shutter these warm thoughts until next Christmas. I turn off the tree lights and head to bed.
Author Notes
Adeste Fideles (Come All Ye Faithful) The song was originally written in Latin and then translated into English. I still like the Latin version.
Jordan Marsh was a large department store in downtown Boston. The Enchanted Village was a must see visit during Christmas. When Jordan Marsh went under, Jordon Furniture (no relation to Jordon Marsh) bought the village years later and restored the figures and display it every year in their store. (2020 is an exception)
Boston Common is the oldest city park in the US. (1634) The park no longer displays any religious figures most likely due to protests of separation of church and state. I do not know if the park has the same attraction that it had in the past when families would make the trip just to see the Common Christmas display.
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© Copyright 2016.
Mary Vigasin
All rights reserved.
Mary Vigasin
has granted FanStory.com, its affiliates and its syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work. |
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