Merry Christmas!

It was so wonderful to see you on that unexpected visit the other day! I am so glad I was able to stop in for even a few minutes. When we skyped, I told you about my visit to the National Christmas Tree. I had planned on blogging that adventure while I was at the airport waiting to fly home.  Unfortunately, a hinge on my laptop broke, preventing me from travelling with it this break. So although it is after Christmas Day, Father Umberg will tell you that the Christmas season is not over yet.

                In DC, the White House celebrates the season by decorating the Ellipse (named for the shape of a grassy area on the south side of the White House) with a giant menorah, the National Christmas Tree, and the Pathway of Peace. There is a large ceremony every year to light the Christmas tree for which you have to have tickets to attend. To my knowledge, the tickets are free and awarded in a raffle. I didn’t know to apply this year, but you better bet I will next year! The first National Christmas Tree was lit by President Calvin Coolidge in 1923. The lighting used to take place on Christmas Eve, but they have moved it earlier over the years. I am not entirely sure why, but maybe it makes the holidays seem longer, and it allows for more festivities on the Ellipse.  

This year’s tree was rather smaller than I expected. I believe it was a replacement as the original tree was blown over in a storm, but I can’t seem to find the articles that I think said that. Beneath the tree, somewhat difficult to see in the picture, is a model train town. It made me think of the model train and city display, Cincinnati in Motion, in the Cincinnati History Museum. Ours is much bigger and better though! (That is probably because it is a permanent display.)

Honestly, I was surprised by the Pathway of Peace; I didn’t know it existed. It was really nice, though, to see all the states and territories represented in the nation’s capital. No two ornaments are the same on any of the 56 trees because each ornament is made by an ordinary citizen from that state or territory. The ornaments of Ohio’s tree were decorated by a group of advanced art students at Hilliard Davidson High School, near Columbus. I really miss Ohio, but I am glad that there are reminders of it no matter where I go. Here is a picture of Ohio’s Tree!

I was heartened by the nativity scene. I wasn’t expecting to see such a religious symbol on government grounds, but it made me happy to see the government hasn’t forsaken religion. It just can’t enforce one over the other.

My Christmas season was absolutely wonderful! I was able to spend so much time with my friends and family! It was truly a wonderful time to reflect on the changes that I have made over the last year in order to follow my dreams but still stay connected to home. I hope you took some time over break to count your blessings, thank the Lord for your triumphs, learn from your failures, and make some goals for how you will make 2012 even better than 2011.

                On a note completely unrelated to Christmas, I read the Hunger Games series over break and I CAN’T WAIT to talk to you guys about it! I will give you some time to brush up on your Hunger Games knowledge, and then we are having some discussions on here about the books. OMG, they were AMAZING! I will be posting a discussion question next week about the first book. I am so excited to hear what you think about the books!!!