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Seems fitting for what is likely the last 2009 Christmas and New Year’s related post on this blog. A previous post here featured Norman Rockwell. The days when he was active and the Americana generated is where some including this blogger might like to return. How things could be or should be or what is comforting to recall about the past is not an uncommon diversion. What it shares with current discussions on the direction America should take is simple. We were once in a better place than we are now The best of what we had is what we would like to restore. Is that asking too much? I think not.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

New England Town Brings Rockwell’s Christmas to Life

Every year around Christmas, Stockbridge, a small town in western Massachusetts, puts on a display unlike any other in the US. The celebrated American artist Norman Rockwell, who passed away some 30 years ago, used the New England town as the setting for his painting of an idyllic American Christmas.

Joseph Mok | Stockbridge, Massachusetts

Each year, on the first Sunday of December, the Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce mobilizes the entire community to recreate the scene from “Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas,” by painter Norman Rockwell

Each year, on the first Sunday of December, the Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce mobilizes the entire community to recreate the scene from “Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas,” one of the most renowned oil paintings by artist Norman Rockwell. Cory Kanzenberg is the curator of the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge.

“The original idea for Stockbridge at Christmas was actually conceived in 1956, ‘57 when Hallmark card corresponds with Rockwell on the idea of an image of an American main street which will symbolize Christmas in America,” he explained.

The Red Lion Inn was built in 1773 and is one of the oldest buildings on Stockbridge’s Main Street. But there is one small difference between the inn now and how it appears in Rockwell’s original painting. Michelle Kotek, the current innkeeper of the Red Lion Inn, explains.

“When Norman Rockwell originally painted it, the Red Lion Inn was dark because it was only open seasonally in the summer, because it had no heat. But when the Fitzpatricks purchased it, they opened it year round. It is now filled with light and life all year round,” he said.

Other buildings involved in the recreation include the Berkshire Bank, the Yankee Candle shop now housed in the former Town Hall, three variety stores, Rockwell’s old studio, and the Stockbridge Library.

Antique cars are another prominent feature of the painting. Doug Goudey prepares the antique cars used in the recreation

“The picture contains cars from 1949 to 1957,” he said. “We invite local cars owners to come. [Their cars] do not have to be from that period but we try to get more cars of this period on this side. Not an exact creation but a more generalization of what you will see in the picture. We do have a couple of cars that come here on a regular basis. One car is going to be a 1957, I believe. It parks in front of the Red Lion Inn. As in the original picture, there is a Christmas tree on the car as it is being delivered to a family. And that car will be parked in front of the Red Lion Inn with a Christmas tree on top.”

The recreation of the Rockwell painting is the culmination of a whole weekend of holiday attractions and activities.

Visitors from around the country enjoy the holiday spirit.

TOM (TOURIST): “We were here before a couple of times and I made the reservation at the Red Lion Inn about a year ago because I knew it would be very difficult this weekend when I heard about the festival. I made the reservation back then and then I thought it would be a good place to ask Nancy to marry me.”

NANCY (TOURIST): “So he did it! So he is not my boyfriend anymore!! He’s my fiancé!”

RICHARD WILCOX: “If you look at the Norman Rockwell painting of Christmas, that’s my memory. Growing up in Stockbridge was a Norman Rockwell kind of Christmas. There were happy times, kids and presents and all of the things that were in the painting.”

MICHAEL JOHNSON: “I am a photographer. That’s one of my hobbies. What better place to photograph good Christmas scenes than right here in Stockbridge?”

After the festivities, Stockbridge goes back to its daily routine. Until next year, when it will be again be transformed into a vision of an ideal American town at Christmas.

(from VOA News)

According to modern folklore, a Blue Moon is the second full Moon in a calendar month. Usually months have only one full Moon, but occasionally a second one sneaks in. Full Moons are separated by 29 days, while most months are 30 or 31 days long; so it is possible to fit two full Moons in a single month. This happens every two and a half years, on average.

“Blue Moon” to Shine on New Year’s Eve
Andrew Fazekas
for National Geographic News
December 30, 2009

For the first time in almost 20 years, a bright “blue moon” will grace New Year’s Eve celebrations worldwide. (Take a moon myths quiz.)

If the skies are clear, revelers looking up at midnight will get an eyeful of the second full moon of the month—commonly called a blue moon. The last time a blue moon appeared on New Year’s Eve was in 1990, and it won’t happen again until 2028.

New Year’s Day (and eve) are just another day for some. Others embrace many rituals or behaviors characteristic of this annual celebration. Personally, I tend to become introspective around the birthdate rather than January 1st each year. If you party all night be careful. If you can’t be careful name it after me. Sorry, couldn’t help show my age by repeating and old expression. Seriously folks, be careful out there. Don’t miss out on 2010 by hasty decisions at the end of 2009.

Nope, I’ll say Happy New Year tomorrow.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

You know it has been a good year despite all the bad news when there is a Christmas story as compelling as the classic It’s A Wonderful Life. You wouldn’t expect Christmas and the ACLU to be present in a positive Yuletide story but there it is in all its wonder. What a great way to round out this week’s theme of Christmas stories to counter the war on Christmas but a report that not only does the ACLU smell bad but their piggy bank (aka sugar daddy) is a bit light this year.

Have you wondered why the American Civil Liberties Union hasn’t been carrying out its usual war on Christmas this season? There is a one-word explanation: money.

There’s no cause to gloat because ‘as we speak’ one can imagine there are many out there to take the place of the cash strapped benefactor the story identifies. Someone like George Soros or another fringe entity with more money than principles will undoubtedly rise to the dark side void left by another. But one can be pleased that one source for the war on Christmas has retreated if only temporarily.

If you haven’t already it may be time to consider the New Year. Reflection on the one passing may be a good place to start. Whether an introspective analysis or simply assembling plans for 2010 goals there is no shortage of items to consider. We can all do better. It’s a target rich environment filled with an array of items we can contribute are time and energy to even if much is in short supply these days.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Beyond lawyers and politicians the group fighting for the most despised category must be academics or academia or just plain teachers. Some of the other definitions for academic are on point: (from Princeton, Wordnet

marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning especially its trivial aspects

hypothetical or theoretical and not expected to produce an immediate or practical result

That pretty much sums it up. But to try and quell the angst this may produce for some reading this post a little compassion on their behalf. There are of course good teachers and bad teachers. When teachers are good they can be very, very good but when they are bad they are typical. Feel free to decide for yourself which category the professor in the story from the following excerpt belongs.

What kind of Grinch would recommend parents tell their toddlers that Santa Claus isn’t real? If you guessed a liberal arts professor at a prestigious east coast college, give yourself a grade-inflated A plus.

The magic and mystery I recall as a youngster at Christmas are among my favorite memories. I still vicariously enjoy the Santa part knowing another generation is experiencing that wonder again this year. As for the magic and mystery of the primary focus of Christmas it will endure in me as long as I breathe.

Someone should yank the tenure of Professor Pompous or banish him to a Charles Dickens’ novel.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Ah, more Christmas related stories to feature this year. The one presented here today addresses the primary focus of Christmas…… religion. As long as I can remember their have been challenges to religious beliefs. Thinking back to my earliest memories on the topic points to biblical stories themselves. It seems Jesus was confronted quite frequently by those who challenged what he had to say.

Every year at about this time, readers can count on a few Christmas-themed articles appearing in newspapers and magazines that question the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ. It really is something to see the wide variety of people who get worked up over this ancient Christian belief.

I am religious but probably not in the conventional definition whatever that might be. I was raised Catholic and attended both private and public schools in my elementary and secondary education. It was not uncommon to be met with the ire of a nun when making inquiries about faith. Questions about that which was difficult to understand at an early age rarely produced the intended result. One quickly learned whom to ask and when. Lest you repeat the unfortunate mistake more than once.

Yet those early experiences did not cause me to abandon my belief in God or diminish my faith. Theologians and others who dedicate themselves to the pursuit of knowledge and understanding of religion ask questions and seek answers all the time. Then are those who present arguments against religion much like those who challenged Jesus in the biblical accounts eluded to earlier. That is to say some are genuinely seeking understanding and others are merely guided by a personal agenda that opposes the idea of religion or a particular religion. Determining which group they belong to is the task.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

In an effort to continue providing inspiring or insightful stories and commentary this Christmas season another gem was found at Hot Air. The excerpt below is linked to the author’s blog as if presenting it here would have any real influence on sending traffic in that direction. But for readers of this blog it is offered as another breath of fresh air to maintain tradition and principled thought.

Like other Christmas posts featured here this week to counter the troubling trend in some circles to diminish or abandon traditional American values the piece by Doctor Zero strikes a familiar chord. One does not need to subscribe to a particular religion, philosophy or share beliefs or agree with those held by others to appreciate or respect an effort to express peace and joy any time it happens.

Some of the most generous and charitable acts for benefit of others occur during Christmas. It is an annual event that inspires good. To demean or diminish it seems, I dunno, Grinch-like. Are there other events that inspire good? Yes. Should they be acknowledged as well? Yes. But this week on this blog we’re talking Christmas in America. Because some seem to think it should be downplayed. Not a notion received well on this blog and other places.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Who can embrace the full meaning of the birth we celebrate in this season, without loving the sound of laughing children playing with new toys, or young voices raised in carols of sleigh bells, snow, and mistletoe? Those who don’t believe in the divinity of Christmas Day have no reason to injure the faith of those who do… and the faithful have no reason to suffocate anything that spreads joy through the world, on this day we take as proof that Heaven loves us, and wants us to be happy.

I’ll be home for Christmas are familiar lyrics and just as familiar is the fact that those who serve in the military are likely to lament ‘if only in my dreams’ as the next lyric this time of year. In addition to all they do for our nation and regardless of their religious affiliation being away from family, friends and important events at home is one more burden they bear.

Today’s post is handed off by excerpt and link to someone who can speak to this topic from experience. A topic we all need to keep in mind. And one we can all find ways to help lighten the load. The least we can do for what they do for all of us.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

When I landed in Iraq, one of the first things I was told was, “In Iraq, every day is Monday.” And to that I’d add: “And the Grinch always steals Christmas.”

Especially for the men on the line, there is no weekly or even monthly rhythm of life like we have in the States. You just do what you do, day in and day out, until you go home. Then one day you go to the dining facility (if you’re fortunate enough to be working from a base), and there’s a cake and some Christmas decorations. A few days later, there’s another set of decorations. Your friends tell you “Merry Christmas,” then “Happy New Year,” and you just keep working. In my case, that meant preparations for a New Year’s offensive. For others, that meant another patrol. For still others, it meant another broken tank to fix, more rounds to load into the howitzer, or more time hunched over a radio.

In the Christmas category on this blog is at least one post about that nasty trend of substituting Happy Holidays or Season’s Greetings for the traditional expression of Merry Christmas. This is a topic that needs to be addressed on a regular basis. Some time back in the forum on this site a topic kept a running account of Google’s propensity for announcing all manner of historical events and various milestones including birthdays of the famous except for the one that falls on December 25th each year.

This year was a bit of departure for the search engine giant. As of this writing they presented at least five ‘holiday’ related doodles with their logo in as many days. The fifth actually seemed to be some sort of compromise on past performance. It seemed to present, along with the universal peace sign, a silhouette that may be the Virgin Mary. I could be wrong.

In the spirit of what was just described comes a piece from the American Spectator that may warm your heart during Christmas time. Every now and then sanity prevails. Even if some of the participants in the story only did the right thing for the wrong reasons. Click on the link below.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

There’s the minister. The bell ringers. And that iconic piece of Americana called The Mall.

In this case the minister is the Reverend Phil Cockrell, the minister of music and worship at Country and Town Baptist Church. The bell ringers are the handbell choir from Country and Town. And the part of The Mall is played by Capital City Mall, a piece of American malldom that sprawls over a piece of suburban acreage over the river and through the still occasional woods of the Pennsylvania state capital of Harrisburg.

You know what’s coming here, don’t you?

There are many Christmas stories. Not only the story of Christmas itself and other accounts related to this time of year, the season and the event. But personal anecdotes that demonstrate one reason Christmas is important.

One brief description I can offer is the time I took my daughter with me when delivering a contribution to the local food bank for lack of a better term(s). The idea was to not so subtly expose the young one to an up close and personal introduction to those who are less fortunate or in some sort of need which exceeds our own. It seemed fitting to take her along on one of my annual treks to try and do my part for others.

Her eyes grew wide as we entered the food bank and made our way toward the back of the building to deposit our contributions. Recipients of the bounty provided by the community were busy attending to their business as if no one else was there. The haphazard and nearly raucous temperament of some were the cause of my child’s wide-eyed response.

We didn’t stay long and had a discussion upon returning to the car. You can guess how that went. But it left an impression and for some hours during the remainder of the day the conversation continued. I believe my intentions were understood and the proper impression was made.

Although the idea of giving during this special religious occasion is not uncommon adding a little reality about life in general seemed a good lesson for a young mind. I have never of course regretted my choice on that day. The response from my daughter was as I had hoped.

There are more stories like this. An excerpt and link below presents another.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

This is a story, first told in The HOYA newspaper at Georgetown University, that I re-tell in a new column about every ten years or so, each time from memory (rather than by looking at my previous columns on this subject) and with the differing perspectives caused by the passing of time — so, some minor emphases in details may change, but not the basic facts of the story.

At the present time I don’t believe I can improve upon last year’s Christmas Day post so it is linked here as the offering for Christmas Eve 2009.

Christmas, December 25th, 2008

And of course, Merry Christmas to all from Stanford Matthews of MoreWhat.com

The 2009 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony The ceremony is a time-honored holiday tradition which includes the illumination of the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse just south of the White House. Nationally known entertainers and the United States Marine Corps Band add to the celebratory evening in which the President is invited to bring a message of peace to the nation and the world. With the White House as the back drop, in what becomes the “Christmas Pathway of Peace”, the National Christmas Tree and 56 smaller trees - one for each state, five territories, and the District of Columbia - serve as the event focal point.

The first National Christmas Tree was placed on the Ellipse south of the White House in December 1923. The tree was a 48-foot Balsam fir donated by the President of Middlebury College in Vermont. At 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve, President Calvin Coolidge walked from the White House to the Ellipse to light the tree from his native state. The tree was decorated with 2,500 electric bulbs in red, white and green, donated by the Electric League of Washington. Music for this first lighting ceremony was provided by a local choir and a “quartet” from the U.S. Marine Band.

Merry Christmas

from Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

While Queen Elizabeth II continued a British tradition that goes back to 1957 and exercised one of her rare occasions to freely express her own views, a 16 year old tradition was continued at the national TV outlet Channel Four presenting ‘an Alternative Christmas Message featuring someone who is not the most popular man on campus.

As the report below indicates, ‘giving the platform’ to the Iranian President for an alternative Christmas Message has ‘generated controversy in some quarters’ in Britain. Ahmadinejad has openly called for the elimination of Israel. Iran is currently involved in a political conflict with many nations on their pursuit of nuclear options that may include weapons. There is much about this scenario which now gives more credence to the notion there are many parallels and similarities to Ahmadinejad and Hitler. This latest event in Britain is reminiscent of similar circumstances in British history. There are a number of events over the past few years that are reminders of British reaction to world events in the last 100 years. Should we be concerned?

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

In her traditional Christmas message to the country, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II focused on the concerns many are feeling this year about the deepening economic downturn. Meanwhile, Britain’s Channel 4 Television has broadcast what it calls an alternative Christmas address, delivered by the President of Iran.

Mindful of the prolonged recession many in Britain are predicting, Queen Elizabeth II noted that these are nervous times for many. Unemployment is rising steadily, a number of major retail outlets have already gone out of business and some big banks are only operating now with the help of government assistance.

“Christmas is a time for celebration but this year, it is a more somber occasion for many. Some of those things which could once have been taken for granted suddenly seem less certain and naturally give rise to feelings of insecurity,” she said. “People are touched by events which have their roots far across the world, whether it is the global economy or violence in a distant land, the effects can be keenly felt at home.”

The Queen’s Christmas speech represents one of the rare occasions in the year when she can freely express her own views.

Her annual TV broadcast goes back to 1957.

Meanwhile in a tradition stretching back over the past 16 years, a so-called Alternative Christmas Message was broadcast on British national TV outlet, Channel Four.

This year, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was given the platform.

In his speech, Ahmadinejad rhetorically asks what Jesus Christ would make of the current world. The Iranian leader concludes he would hoist the banner of justice and oppose what he called warmongers, occupiers, terrorists and bullies around the world.

The message has generated controversy in some quarters here. Britain’s Foreign Office predicts it may cause offense amongst what it calls friendly nations abroad.

The head of Channel Four News says it is enormously important to hear the views of the leader of one of the most powerful states in the Middle East.

Just a simple note to readers on this Christmas Day 2008 occupies the sole post to be published. This applies to those who celebrate Christmas. It also applies to those who celebrate the Festival of Lights known as Chanukah. And surprisingly enough it applies to those who celebrate something else or nothing at all. There are all sorts of religions on the planet. There are those who follow a particular religion and those who do not. The interesting thing about religion is that it appears they all share at least in part an expressed desire for peace and love. The histories of all the religions also share some not so pleasant events. But there is a larger point about this that will be described with a personal anecdote.

I was raised a Christian. I grew up in an area with a long history of Christianity and a population that held a devotion to religion. Much about growing up was dominated by a set of principles that while religious in nature were as at home with someone religious and someone who was not. A great deal of the set of principles revolved around taking responsibility, doing the right thing, treating others well and asking forgiveness when one failed to adhere to this common sense set of rules to live by.

In terms of Christmas I remember being in awe of what I learned about Jesus and his life and sacrifice. Especially for a child or very young person the stories were all compelling and did leave a serious impression. Trying to understand it all was not simple and some points escaped me or raised questions. But the central theme or points all hit home. And I was astonished by the stories and what they meant. I had a deep respect and appreciation for God and at the same time was mystified by some of the teachings and doctrine.

Then there was the less religious but just as awesome aspects of Christmas that left their mark. The anticipation of the arrival of Christmas was an irresistible attraction for two reasons. As a kid I had participated in Midnight Mass at my church on many occasions and later attended with the same anticipation for the spectacle and enduring remembrance of the life of Jesus Christ. I found it magical. And of course, being a kid, the more Santa oriented side as well as all the food, gifts and time spent with family and friends was equally rewarding. The entire season was a magical and mystical occasion that lasted for some time.

As I write this my memory is replaying events of years gone by and I cherish all of it. I also remember there was much giving to those less fortunate and volunteering in various ways to participate in community activities that I believe strengthened the local area and made one proud to be part of it. Those values were passed on from generation to generation. It made people better and allowed very good things to happen that continued throughout the year.

These are the things I remember. These are the things I cherish. That is why I resent some of the opposition to expressing greetings like Merry Christmas or otherwise diminishing the celebration of events like Christmas or Chanukah. These are the very traditions that allow us to pursue our better nature and approach ideas like universal peace. Without them are chances are reduced. So again I offer this simple expression.

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, support peace on Earth and offer goodwill to others.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com