Christmas questions to some of my friends

A green Christmas to you!

 

        

 

Using questions from “The Christmas Conversation Piece: Creative Questions to Illuminate the Holidays,” by Bret Nicholaus & Paul Lowrie, 1996, here are some questions and answers.

LYDIA CHEATHAM, You’re the author of a new Christmas novel that you hope will one day become a classic. What would you choose as the setting for your Christmas story?

Lydia’s answer: I would set my Christmas story in an antiquated farm house, far away from the frantic life of the city. The cold winter night threatens to snow. Windows rattle with the frosted winter wind.

NORVAL ZIEGLER and THURMAN COUCH, You are a photographer who is given the chance to go back in history to capture a Christmas photograph. Where would you go and what year would it be?

Norval’s answer: Arlene and I were married on Dec. 18, 1949.  On Christmas day, we were in New Orleans, so I would go back there to, hopefully, find a photo. [Arlene & Norval are my aunt & uncle.]

Thurman’s answer: A frontier log cabin on Xmas Eve…nighttime…the candles are all lighted, maybe a kerosene lantern on the handmade table.  Family gathered round the fireplace in pajamas singing/humming traditional carols.  All this seen and witnessed by the wild creatures of the night…peering in the window at this pioneer family.  So a frontier scene, ceremonial, and upholding the tradition of the holiday. 

 JAN HAMLETT and ZETHA BONE, let’s say you have a beautiful 50-foot pine tree in your front yard that you are allowed to decorate with only one color of lights. Which color would you choose? Why?

Zetha’s answer: “I would choose white! Then add some colorful ornaments.”

Jan’s answer: If white is a color, as "plain vanilla" as it sounds, I would illuminate my 50-foot pine with white lights from its majestic top branch to its strong, sturdy base. 

Beyond the simple beauty of white lights, their presence reminds me of the wonder of a clear, starry night, the elegance of moonlit ice crystals, and the silent, peaceful purity of an evening snowfall. Most importantly, to me, nothing else would bear witness to Christ as "the light of the world" more eloquently than a tall pine tree, ever green, ever lovely, clothed in pure white radiance.

KAREN HONNOLD, you are a painter and have just been commissioned to do a large oil-on-canvas painting that depicts something about the holiday season. What scene would you choose to paint?

Karen’s answer: A few years ago I made Christmas cards.  I a painted simple Christmas tree with a few gifts under it.   On each gift I painted a peace symbol. I think I'd do something similar today.   Although the tree I painted was presumed to be an indoor tree I can now envision a tall pine in the woods, snow-flocked and with the same peace-symbol gifts under it.  My thought being that many different people found the tree and each brought their own hope of peace with them to place under the tree.

DOT HATFIELD, what is the longest period of time you’ve ever left your tree up after Christmas?

Dot’s answer: I think maybe January 10-15. And that's been during the last few years. I often leave it until Epiphany, but then if I get busy . . .  Much easier now that I have a smaller tree. I hope. But I've always made it before Feb 1. 

RHONDA ROBERTS, If you had a miniature Christmas village set up in your home, what shop, building, or other object would be the most prominently displayed in your little town?

Rhonda’s answer: I do have a little Christmas village, though I haven't displayed it for years because of the space required. If I remember correctly, it has two churches, and I would call them the focal point.

                Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!