Relax and soak up the Christmas spirit in Calgary
Re: “What’s worse than Christmas music?” Kevin Brooker, Opinion, Dec. 17.
We hurry, we fret; there are unspeakable horrors going on in the world full of weapons and killing of innocents. Then Christmas comes.
People decorate their trees and hedges with twinkling lights. They set out into the frosty air to choose their tree with their children’s help; then they can’t wait to hang all their heirlooms and bright treasures upon it.
The magic of Christmas is taking shape. Yes, the malls start too early with Jingle Bell Rock and jingalingalings, and if it gets annoying, at least it’s cheerful.
The major shows then light up — the zoo, Heritage Park, Kinsmen, 14th Street N.W. It becomes hard to ignore it and not feel a little lifted in spirit.
Concerts start and TV broadcasts choirs of majesty recreating the timeless melodies. When boy sopranos ring out in ancient cathedrals, we catch our breath and feel a sweet ache in our hearts. And we hope again in peace and goodwill.
I am so grateful for artists like Rita McNeil, who depicts the ideal of Christmas spirit. This lady is a gracious hostess; her show is orchestrated with infinite care, with a lush Victorian setting where costumes are colour co-ordinated with the drapes and upholstery, in plums, bottle green and maroon. It even features a contented dog and cat.
Rita radiates joy when she sings with her guests, listens and watches. Sentimental? Maudlin? Perhaps. But it conveys family times together, goodwill, peace and cheer.
It is the best of moods we can be in as perchance, forsooth, we might have to leave this mortal coil on Dec. 21.
Suzanne de Mos, Calgary