[PRCo] Re: HAPPY HOLIDAYS

[Dennis F. Cramer]

    The holiday season to me includes a few wonderful childhood memories of
shopping in McKeesport in the late 50's with the B&O, trolleys and snow.
Setting up the Lionel trains was a major undertaking and my brother and I
worked until everything was just right.
    Having moved to a rural county at the age of nine gave me opportunities
I never imagined.  Performing the Hallelujah Chorus at church on Christmas
Eve when everyone knew the tradition of standing.  Knowing that Handel, with
tears streaming down his face after he had finished putting the chorus to
paper, told his manservant that he had just seen God and all the Heavens
before him made the experience more glorious.
    For the past few years, I have played a small church in the tiny village
of Yatesboro and I always think of that first performance of Silent Night in
Germany, where the organ failed and the hymn was sung with guitar
accompaniment.  No fanfares, no glitter, just humble worshippers.
    The cartoonist, Charles Schultz, said it best in his 1965 production of
A Charlie Brown Christmas.  Linus lets us all in on the true meaning of
Christmas in a very simple way.  The house lights darken in the school
auditorium, a single spotlight illuminates Linus and he tells the world:
    Behold, I bring you tidings of great joy.  For born today in the city of
Bethlehem is our savior, Christ the Lord.
    Such a simple story of the demonstration of peace, love and joy to the
world.  Celebrate the holidays and the entire year with the same message:
Peace on Earth and Good Will Towards Men.

Dennis F. Cramer--Teacher-Trombonist-Historian-Conductor
www.geocities.com/armconband