It’s the first day of winter.
The darkest day of the year.
Which, of course, has me thinking about LIGHT and all it’s sources. Even on dark days, there was lots of light on the family farm come December and not always electric.
CANDLE LIGHT – We didn’t have all those fancy, scented candles, but there were Christmas candles out. On the table, in special holders in the window. But best of all were the angel chimes. The little spinner with four candles that propelled angels around and around, ringing the chimes.
LANTERN LIGHT – Okay, so this was really only used when the power went out, but winter storms made that more common than Mom liked. Lamp oil, wicks that could be turned up and down, fragile glass chimneys–I thought it was fun!
FIRELIGHT – Oh how a fire on Christmas Eve worried us! Would the chimney be too hot for Santa to come down? Still, those fires made the living room ever so cozy and it was wonderful to back up to the heat and then plop down on the sofa to feel how toasty our bums had gotten.
STARLIGHT – I know there weren’t REALLY more stars back then, but we sure could SEE more of them. I still marvel at the infinity of stars that can be seen on a clear winter night from a remote hilltop in West Virginia.
And, of course, LAMP LIGHT – Our little house, all alone in the midst of darkness, simply glowed with light and warmth and love. I can remember looking out in the sea of blackness washing over the farm at night and feeling so perfectly safe inside where it was bright and warm. A fine light to hold in my memory to brighten my world even today.
I just read it is National Flashlight Day…. Never could (can) find one when we needed it. So glad you remember the delight of the angel chimes.
I OWN a set!
Wonderful warm thoughts for the winter soltice.
Thank you! Hope your solstice is toasty and bright!
ENJOYED this one! Memories of
being in the wide open spaces~
which I have missed from my
childhood! We sure serve an
AWESOME God who provides
the pure Beauty of the Season!
~Enjoyed Caroling @ Serenity Home last nite! Bittersweet w/out
Aunt Mary this season. 😇 Hubby &
I visited w/Larry~Took him some fruit & (Refillable) container of
Nuts which he immediately opened
& joyfully munched! ❤️🎄
I’m so glad you visited Dad! He LOVES nuts and company. Thanks for being my angels in Buckhannon.
The stars are pretty incredible there, I remember thinking as a kid why they had more than we did at home.
And I wondered where they went when we left!