Christmas was smaller, and quieter this year, and we liked it. Just the two of us, breaking away from the usual routine, and it was lovely. There were some incidences where we felt a bit like THE KRANKS in the movie but we weren’t skipping Christmas, we just celebrated it differently this year.
The Work of Christmas
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and the princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
While much is the same, some customs and traditions in Austria are different. Christmas at home was special. I have so many great memories. What an amazing childhood I had. I was fortunate to spend twelve wonderful years with my Grandma on our farm, and now looking back, I could fill books with stories and anecdotes.
…So he paused. And the Grinch put his hand to his ear.
And he did hear a sound rising over the snow.
It started in low. Then it started to grow.
But the sound wasn’t sad! Why, this sound sounded merry!
Still, in search this year to find my Christmas spirit, I came across an oldie I had all forgotten about. The short film, now 75 years old made me smile. The little girl inside me will never die. Eyes wide open, watching the same way others might watch an action movie. I can’t help it. I have grown older, I have grown up, but part of me will stay a youngster forever.
The Austrian Alps in the background, a Christmas song in a dialect our neighbors the Germans cannot understand, even though we talk the same language. The dialect of the mountains, soft and harsh at the same time, comforting to the ear and still, oh, so familiar to me. The song tells about Christmas 1946, during a time when the world was at war. And while you might not understand, listen to the music and read the lyrics and you will quickly understand why I love this Christmas song so much.
Almost every child knows either Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, St. Nick, or Sinterklaas. A long list with different names for every country and they all look the same, or similar. Red coat, black boots, poodle cap, and a long, white beard.
He looked at the Santa’s costume, which was displayed right at the front door, and when I saw my husband’s face I knew we would not leave the estate sale without it. It was a nicely made outfit. Red fur jacket, and pants, a matching hat, a black belt which later on would hold a fake belly in place, white gloves, and even gold-colored glasses without the lenses.