AN ECLECTIC* CHRISTMAS
by Ginnie Thompson

*ec lec tic (ik-lek'tik, ek-) a. 1. selecting from various systems, doctrines, or sources.

Christmas comes but once a year
And when it comes it brings good cheer--
    Also, Christmas trees that are overpriced and often dead on purchase,
    and stockings that are not the right size for the stocking gifts,
    and a creche so battered as to be sacreligious,
    and wreaths that are slowly dissembling,
    and irresistable calorie-laden goodies we now realize are not good for any age group,
and, especially, Christmas brings reactionary, arch-conservative, adamant children who rigidly demand all of the above and whatever else they have "always had" at  Christmas. I was the same as a child; I bet you were too. Each happy Christmas carries the thread of tradition, linking one Christmas to the next.
    Whereas children allow no subtractions or ommissions from customary observances, additions are acceptable, even welcome. When was the Moravian star acquired? What year incorporated the advent wreath? Initiate a cookie decorating party one year and the next year it has become another "but we always have" observance.
    On our very first married Christmas the tree was real but tiny. We decorated with cranberry strings and Fleers chewing gum which had red and green wrappers. I cried because hundreds of Florida ants loved my pitiful tree even if no one else did. Over the years the tree grew in size and, like a rolling snowball, so did the traditions.
    The dearest customs (to me) were originated by the children. One kindergartner made oaktag reindeer horns that she wore on her head until they fell apart and I made fancy felt ones fastened with velcro. My husband, Ken, used markers to draw marvelous cartoons on shelf paper as wrapping for special presents. As instrumental skills grew, music became part of our Christmas. The first time it was a cello/piano rendition of Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring as a gift from the musicians to their father. The dog hated it and howled throughout.

    But, in the years after the children had grown and before the grandchildren arrived on the scene, we initiated a more adult celebration of Christmas eve and some aspects of this we would like to share with you as an early gift. Not only did we switch from the early family church service to the midnight service, but after a trip to the California Renaissance Fairs, we began Christmas eve in costume. The costumes (vaguely medieval with such items as jerkins made of towels, blue jeans laced below the knee with leather shoelaces) make us feel festive and better able to be both performers and audience as we sing our one madrigal and dance our one medieval dance.

    The madrigal, As Fresh As Morn, As Fair As Day, usually ends in hilarity. The simple dance is decorous. Our dinner is a feast with venison or goose as, so far, we have no source for wild boar or peacock tongue. There is a cello and piano duet as well as Renaissance music on tape as background music. The children have added caroling. At age ten, grandson Ked read aloud the entire delightful book TheBest Christmas Pageant Ever. It had nothing to do with Renaissance times but I said this Christmas was eclectic! Here, then is my wish that this Christmas will be special for you. Rejoice!

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