"Tidings of Comfort And Joy"

May merry days be behind and ahead of you, dear Readers! I hope that your Christmas' were filled with family, love, and peace. If you do not celebrate Christmas, the message to you is of course the same, that you are blessed with happiness and love. 

Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, we've all been assailed these last few weeks with Christmas music, for better or worse (I'm a traditonalist - I tend to like non-pop holiday songs, but to each his own). There are many carols that I find moving ("Little Drummer boy", "Oh Come All Ye Faithful", and "Oh Holy Night" come to mind), but it is the lyrics of "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlement" that I found particularly striking this Christmas season.

Not familiar with it? Nat King Cole did a wonderful rendition of the song: http://youtu.be/_TkXHCWGxQg

The first stanza (I think that's what it is called) goes a bit like this:

"God rest ye merry, gentlemen

Let nothing you dismay

Remember, Christ, our Saviour

Was born on Christmas day

To save us all from Satan's power

When we were gone astray

O tidings of comfort and joy,

Comfort and joy

O tidings of comfort and joy."

The song goes on to describe the miracle of Christs' birth and the celebration of his life, then the song ends with:

"Now to the Lord sing praises,

All you within this place,

And with true love and brotherhood

Each other now embrace;

This holy tide of Christmas

All other doth deface.

O tidings of comfort and joy,

Comfort and joy

O tidings of comfort and joy."

As a peacebuilder, these words of comfort and of a guardian who has come to guide us from fear, hatred and darkness is quite lovely. I particularly love the line: "And with true love and brotherhood each other now embrace." Indeed. Whether you believe in Christ or not, is it such a bad thing for us to celebrate our differences and come together in peace inspired at the very least by the beating of a drumb? Remember all the year round that the same heart beats within all of us, regardless the color of your skin, the flag above your head, the accent you sing, or the God you believe in. We all sleep, eat, breathe and most importantly, we all laugh. Let these humble words be reminders of our brother and sisterhoods. Let that be for you "tidings of comfort and joy" in this new year.

Until next time, 

Your humble author,

S. Faxon

Christmas on the Prado

We're full steam into the Christmas Season. The trees are up, the lights are lit, and there's a magical crispness to the air. The tree I call my own has a "Star" theme. but not the stars you see in the sky. The 152 year old sailing bark, Star of India is the theme of my tree. She is one of the iconic pieces of the San Diego community and has played as a major role in global history, so she gets to be the theme of my mini tree. If you're interested in learning more about our Star, I recommend reading the most recent letter from the Maritime Museum's President/CEO: Year End Letter.

Every city has fun Christmas and Holiday traditions. In my home town, we have a few. One in particular is fairly well known. Well, it's more than a tradition. It's a part of life. A part of our home, memories, history. This isn't so much a ritual, it's a place. A place that you've likely heard about, and it is called Balboa Park.

Every year, Balboa Park hosts Christmas on the Prado, although it is known now as December Nights.....I'll let you decide which one you prefer. Christmas on the Prado is a magical celebration where all of the almost thirty museums are open for free to the public. The park is decorated beautifully with every Christmas wonder imaginable. There is a decorated tree display room, the Youth Ballet puts on abbreviated free performances of The Nutcracker. There is food gallor! (I enjoyed a lobster roll this year - yum!). There's carolers and musical performances at the soon to be 101 year old Spreckles' Organ Pavilion. "Magical" truly does not quite begin to cover how wonderful the festivities are.

This year, I attended with my bestie Victoria, her sisters, brother-in-law, and one very un-chihuahua chihuahua. We had a blast! From enjoying the music in the Prado, to possibly smuggling in a Chihuahua into a venue or two, it was a great night. Yes, the crowds were a tad overwhelming, but even that was something spectacular to be seen. With all of the crazy happenings in the world, it was a joy to see so many splendor-filled faces in a great big public place. Troubles of the world dissipated the second we crossed the Cabrillo Bridge and entered the land made famous by the 1915 World's Fair. I could go on and on about that and perhaps someday I will, you'll just have to keep tuning in to see if it becomes a Weekly Read.

Your Christmas'd out Author,
S. Faxon