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Traveling
through Christmas Throughout the World
by Elizabeth A. Young from New York City
Snow-covered windowsills,
trees, and rooftops; tiny white lights blinking through bare tree
branches shaking in the wind; bright reds, greens, silver and gold the
only colors adding a sense of warmth to the winter season. Outside
everything had closed up, inside everything had opened up, wherever a
warm light welcomed. In the dark night air, legends of woodland spirits
living in evergreens seem to grow more real the longer one stays
outside and listens to the whispering sounds of the forest.
Mistletoes with bright red berries hang above one doorway. Over another
are three gilded balls, while pine leaves rest atop a third. Peering
through trees at a third house, the shadow of a strange old woman
stoops over a bedpost beside a window where a child lies resting,
contentedly . . . La Befana? . . Maybe Babouschka? Searching for the
Christ Child? A gust of wind from behind, two shadows--one carrying a
sac, the other a rod--move away from a different house and leave a
small trail of hay. Looking closely, the tiny white specks on top of
the hay do not melt. At the touch of one, they feel solid and warm . .
. sugar! Did that mean the young ones of the house would now find nuts
and candy stuffed inside their shoes? Another gust of wind, the pages
turn again. More shadows surround a huge tree trunk, richly decorated
with brightly colored ribbons, greenery, and paper flowers. Is there a
carol of Yuletide blessings echoing through the night air?
Lit candles standing on the tips of tree branches, lighting a new path
into the forest where at the end, a graveyard flickers brightly with
its own candles burning on top of tombstones.
Nearby, small animals of the forest, perched on branches as if they
were whispering amongst themselves, peek through pine trees at a large
window through which a Christmas tree twinkling with baubles,
blown-glass crystal bulbs, sparkling tinsel left behind from spiders
suddenly scurrying up the chimney walls, and colorful ribbons spiraling
across the banister, stands majestically, making its presence known. La
Befana, St. Nicholas, the Yule tree, what will be next to come?
Suddenly three stunningly crowned figures appear silhouetted above a
mountaintop. Where are they coming from? Who are they looking for? . .
. a magic is still in the air! Somewhere a babe in a manger will be
waiting for them, expectantly. Maybe if I follow, I would see the
miracle they are on their way to see.
About Elizabet Young
Contact Elizabeth A. Young
I think I should explain. During the whole time
(years now) while searching for the facts on fantasy for a project, and
traveling through Christmases throughout the world by way of the public
libraries in South Carolina and New York, I wound up going on many
imaginary journeys. Reading about these legends built up the Christmas
spirit for me a lot stronger than before. They were and still are some
of the best journeys I've ever taken, in my mind anyway. And these side
trips that I've written about are the images leftover just from reading
the words in the books. I don't know what the young folks of these
different villages felt with their histories and life experiences as
they witness Christmas happening, but for me to read and learn about
the numerous and diverse ways of celebrating . . . wow! I always came
back home with a lot more than when I had left.
My home is somewhat three-fold between New York, Virginia, and South
Carolina. I completed my third level writing course with The Institute
of Children's Literature last December and have marketed three
middle-grade fictional stories. I keep five journals, three
illustrated, and a book for collecting maxims.
References
Celebrations:
The Complete Book of
American Holidays: Robert J. Myers, Doubleday
& Company Inc NY 1972
The
Book of Religious Holidays and
Celebrations: Marguerite Ickis, Dodd, Mead
& Company NY 1897 1966
Holly, Reindeer, and Colored Lights:
The Story of the Christmas Symbols: Edna Barth,
Seabury Press Garden City, NY 1972
1001 Christmas Facts and Fancies:
Alfred C. Hottes, Dodd, Mead & Company NY 1937
A
Book of Christmas:
William Sansom, McGraw Hill Book Company NY Toronto 1897
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