What community Christmas event do you believe captures the true meaning of the season?
MINOT PARK DISPLAY
The Minot Sertoma Christmas in the Park light display is a must during every holiday season. The already beautiful Oak Park is miraculously turned into a twinkling extravaganza of glowing lights and magical scenes of winter wonderland. Old and young, family and friends, enjoy feelings of joy, peace and hope for all mankind during this seasonal drive.
Eileen Dolan, member of Verendrye Electric Cooperative
CHRISTMAS MARKET
Christkindlmarkt offers the opposite of the holiday rush. The Fargo event borrows some of its coziest elements from the traditional German Christmas markets that give the holiday festival its name, but this celebration has its own, uniquely local feeling. It’s all about slowing down and enjoying the sights, sounds and tastes of the season.
Instead of rushing through a holiday to-do list, you meet friends, sip hot cocoa or mulled wine, and roast marshmallows over a crackling bonfire. You can skip the lines and crowded parking lots to ask regional vendors how they made the handmade mugs and jewelry on their tables. Instead of elevator music, you’ll hear local musicians strumming guitars, singing or getting people on their feet with a few rollicking accordion dance tunes. I always leave smiling.
Alicia Underlee Nelson, member of Cass County Electric Cooperative
GIVING TO RED KETTLES
Many of us are ushered into the Christmas season with the appearance and sound of the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle bell ringers. We enter a season marked by goodwill, charity and kindness. The time-giving volunteers present an opportunity to further the Salvation Army’s mission of helping and giving to others, spreading benevolence to those in need.
The essence of giving began with the first Christmas over 2,000 years ago. God gave his son to the world. The wisemen brought gifts. The shepherds brought their praise.
As the Salvation Army bells ring, the spirit of giving is perpetuated. Each contributor forwards that goodwill, as witnessed by even the smallest mittened hand placing coins in the slots of the red kettle. No gift is insignificant when given from the heart.
This is just one way a community Christmas event captures the true meaning of the holiday. Hear the bells? The theme of giving “rings” throughout the Christmas season!
Joyce Wagner, member of McLean Electric Cooperative
SHARING JOY
Christmas joy to nursing homes
Around in the Northern Plains Electric Cooperative land
We celebrate hand-in-hand.
In the wonderful land of the free
We can celebrate the real reason
We keep Christ in Christmas
Celebrate and worship without ceasing.
The Lord Baby Jesus came to earth
We celebrate the humble birth, the nativity
We rejoice in celebrating our savior
In gladness we have many a festivity.
While visiting a nursing home, I was impressed by how the communities brought the message in programs, food, 18 lit trees, gifts for each resident, decorations and parties.
Judy Cudworth, member of Northern Plains Electric Cooperative
UPCOMING READER REPLY QUESTION:
JANUARY: If you could make a New Year’s resolution for the state of North Dakota, what would it be and why?
Deadline for submission: Dec. 13
FEBRUARY: What high school sports team is the most memorable to you and why?
Deadline for submission: Jan. 15
we want to hear FROM you: Submissions should be no more than 250 words, typewritten or in legible handwriting. Include your name, complete address, daytime phone number and the name of the rural electric cooperative to which you belong. Note: Magazine staff reserves the right to make editing changes and cuts. We pay $25 for each letter we print. Email to ndliving@ndarec.com or mail to READER REPLY, North Dakota Living, P.O. Box 727, Mandan, ND 58554-0727.
