Season's Greetings

There was a cold wind blowing and it had everything to do with the arrival of winter weather for Thursday night's tree lighting ceremony. A few snow flakes fell as my daughter and I battled a head wind on our way to the Circle.

We stopped at the Nazareth News Agency for a cup of hot chocolate, which duly served as a hand warmer, and took it the half block to the corner where we waited for the festivities to begin.

Given the cold and wind a large crowd gathered to see the arrival of Santa Claus. Filling the Circle the crowd wrapped around the outside from South Main to East Center and many others, like ourselves, found spots to watch from outside the line.

There were some comments from the main presentation area (of which I couldn't hear from where we were situated), holiday songs, and music from brass instruments (I'm assuming Nazareth Band students).

Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived in fine style, a long black limousine guided by a host of well-lit firetrucks up Main Street to Center.

While we didn't wait in line to see jolly ole Saint Nick, we did walk around to where he existed the limo and made his way to the microphone for some comments. We also stopped to look at the Nativity, which was lit and looked beautiful.

The figures glistened and the color was vibrant (they were recently refinished).

We took one final walk around the Circle and then headed home along with a friend of my daughter and her family.

The girls didn't seem to mind the cold too much on the way home as they goofed and giggled, but I did notice that my hands were cold despite being in gloves and my cheeks nearly frozen. Welcome to winter.

There are more festivities in the Circle on Saturday. Unfortunately we already had plans to be in New York City this Saturday so we won't be able to make those in Nazareth. If you go, send me an email with a write-up and some photos. I'd love to make them available to everyone.

Happy Holidays!