Weinzierl

Jewelers

Victoria’s Corner Bar.  Nightly Specials and Menus.  952-443-9944

Specialized assisted living for those

with memory challenges. 

Victoria.  952-908-2215

8 First Street in Waconia.  952-442-2885

942-443-2078

Funeral Home & Cremation Services

952-474-9595

Pediatric Rehabilitation Clinic.

Occupational Therapy.  Speech Therapy.

952-443-9888

Huber

City of Lakes & Parks  952-443-2363

“Trees Are Our Roots”

8099 Bavaria Rd * Victoria * 952-443-2990

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         I look forward to Christmas past, present, and future. 

         "It's the most wonderful time of the year.  With the kids jingle belling and everyone telling you 'Be of good cheer,' It's the most wonderful time of the year."

         Christmas in the 1950's holds memories for me of real Christmas trees, tinseled, bigger multi-colored bulbs, prettier than anything I'd ever seen, baby dolls, Santa making noise at the windows, finding Santa in the church basement with brown paper bags full of peanuts in the shell and hard curly candy, visiting the manger up in front of church with Mom and my little sisters after everyone else was gone, Santa gifts by our shoes in the morning, a little blue record player, a beautiful Christmas dress.

         Christmas in the 1960's holds memories for me of a new watch, a big bouncy horse and flying saucer for my little brothers, Santa not waiting until morning, making craft paper decorations to string across windows, lutefisk and Belgian cookies.

         Christmas in the 1970's holds memories for me of baby Jenny and baby Nick at our home, at their Grandma and Grandpa Orsen's home, at my mom and dad's home.  We made the rounds for years and years at Christmas time and it was very good.  There were cousins galore to become acquainted with on my side.  There was peace and quiet on Allan's side and Swedish Meatballs.

         "I'll be home for Christmas, You can count on me.  Please have snow and mistletoe and presents on the tree.  Christmas Eve will find me Where the love light gleams.  I'll be home for Christmas if only in my dreams."

         Christmas moved solely to my hearth and home on Lilac Lane in Victoria in the 1990's with Allan's mother here.  Grandpa Orsen had died in 1985 and my parents began spending longer winters at their Texas home.  New bikes, Lincoln Logs, Fischer Price toys, Tinker Toys, Legos, and baby dolls were replaced with skis and clothes and teenage paraphernalia.

         Since Christmas came into the new millennium, our kids find more gifts under my tree for their children than for themselves.  I love it all.  I look forward to memories of Christmas past at the same time that I look forward to realities of Christmas present and Christmases that may lie ahead.

***

         I look forward to Christmas in Downtown Victoria on Saturday, December 7th.  Christmas in Victoria is much different than Volksfest or Halloween or Lions Weekend or the many Classic Car Nights.  For one thing, Christmas is a winter event.  Therefore, part of it takes place in the dark and part of it takes place in the cold.  Dress warm, bring your family, enjoy the season.

         "City sidewalk, busy sidewalks dressed in holiday style.  In the air there's a feeling of Christmas.  Children laughing, people passing, meeting smile after smile, And on every street corner you'll hear Silver Bells."

***

         I look forward to Christmas with the Choir.  For over three decades, I've decked our home with boughs of holly and hosted the annual Christmas Choir Party.  This year it's on Thursday evening, December 19th, after caroling at the Victoria Care Center and Community Living.  Everybody brings appetizers and Christmas sweets and treats and there is no program other than hanging out for a few hours together at a home rather than at church.

         "Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa la la la la, la la la la.  'Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la la, la la la la.  Don we now our gay apparel, fa la la la la, la la la la.  Troll the ancient yuletide carol, fa la la la la, la la la."

***

         I look forward to Christmas at the Post Office and all around town, down the streets, and in the shops and restaurants.  It's the only time of the year that people say Merry Christmas to each other -- not Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, but Hello and Merry Christmas!

         "Have a holly jolly Christmas; It's the best time of the year.  I don't know if there'll be snow, but have a cup of cheer.  Have a holly jolly Christmas; And when you walk down the street, say Hello to friends you know and everyone you meet."

***

         I also look forward to Christmas alone with my favorite CD's playing in the background, taking a few moments here and there to consider the depth and breadth of the season and the passing of time.

         "I'm dreaming of a White Christmas Just like the ones I used to know, Where the treetops glisten and children listen To hear sleigh bells in the snow."

         I look forward to Christmas at church.  If it didn't include church, it wouldn't be Christmas.  I look forward to Midnight Mass at 10 p.m. here at St. Victoria.

         "Silent night!  Holy night!  All is calm, all is bright.  Round yon Virgin Mother and Child.  Holy Infant so tender and mild ... Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head ... O Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining.  It is the night of our the dear Savior's birth."

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From the Editor

Dedicated to the sunshine of truth,

the moonshine of meeting deadlines,

and the starshine of Victoria.

The Victoria GAZETTE

December 2013