Another Christmas has come to an end, but hopefully the spirit that is truly intended for this season will ignite one day and saturate the world. One of my favorite seasonal songs is Someday at Christmas by Stevie Wonder which was also made into a television commercial, expressing the sentiment nicely:
Someday all our dreams will come to be
Someday in a world where men are free
Maybe not in time for you and me
But someday at Christmastime
Meanwhile, my local community spreads goodwill by maintaining the Fantasy of Lights exhibition that began here in the 1950s by a man, Mr. Burns, who grew up as an impoverished youth and never had lights or Christmas trees. As he began his oil company and profited from it, he set up a few outdoor displays in his yard and gradually increased those year by year. He did this so that children would have something to see and enjoy during the season. The display is now managed by the local university and has been expanded by various companies and organizations. The homes in this neighborhood also display exquisite lighting such as huge trees outlined in cascades of lights and lighted ornaments. It is a wonderful place for all people to go and reflect upon this time of the year regardless of whether they celebrate Chrismas or not. It is the perfect spot to consider the magnitude of generosity and the goal to attain the glorious gift of world harmony.
Another song, an oldie but a goodie is the Royal Guardsman’s Snoopy’s Christmas,where yes, none other than the adorable Snoopy takes on the Red Baron in a real dogfight:
The Baron made Snoopy fly to the Rhine
And forced him to land behind the enemy lines
Snoopy was certain that this was the end
When the Baron cried out, “Merry Christmas, my friend”
Although Christmastime did not serve to end the conflict of Snoopy and the Red Baron, “they knew they would meet another day,” the bells ringing below reminded them of bringing peace to the world and good will to man.
The 70 degree weather has vanished here giving away first to blustering winds, sideways rain, then a bit of snow. Winter arrived with an attitude. Here’s to hoping the wonderful WordPress community has an outstanding New Year, Happy 2016!
What a lovely post! I love that Stevie Wonder Song, the commercial always gives me chills. And few can rival Snoopy! The x-mas lighting initiative in your community is truly heart-warming, spreading light and joy. How wonderful. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Thank you. That commercial is so neat. It is good to celebrate light and joy this time of the year and to hope for a better world in the process. Thanks for reading! 🙂
I really liked hearing about the good man, Mr. Burns, who spreads his lights into the community. It is always amazing how people who came from impoverished childhoods rise above their background and are generous beyond dreams. What a wonderful story of giving. I liked your photos, along with the special song by Stevie Wonder. His story can get me teary eyed, along with some of his sweet songs, Lana. The fun one with the Royal Guardsmen singing about Snoopy and his nemesis, the Red Baron was fun! When the Peanuts movie came out, I was able to take 3 of the grandies. There are some fun Red Baron battles which I am sure the kids wonder what is going on? Lol 🙂
Yes many people who are fortunate are also generous and help their communities and it is truly a bonus for our town. I enjoy many Xmas songs and could basically listen to them all year round. I’ll bet the grandies enjoyed Snoopy, and the Red Baron thing does go back quite a way, but I always loved that song and could always picture Snoopy flying over Germany. Who knows, Hollywood will probably dig out the Baron before much longer 🙂
You are probably right they may bring out a WWII movie with the Red Baron in it. They even included Snoopy falling in love with the French poodle. . . So cute! Hugs to you, dear friend as the year opens.
Snoopy and the poodle, adorable, ha ha. I also consider you a dear friend and very kind supporter, Robin. I love reading your posts, especially the ones about doors. A beautiful door, you always wonder what is behind it. I also like that we share an interest in older buildings and architecture….here is to an all new 2016 🙂
Thanks for sharing the festive photos (lovely story too about Mr. Burns). Wishing you a happy new year. 🙂
I’m glad you enjoyed the story, and I hope you are doing well after the flood. This weather is sometimes incredible! We went to having our lakes almost dry up here to having over 46 inches of rainfall this year, just unbelievable really. I hope you have a wonderful new year also! 🙂
The Fantasy of Lights exhibition sounds wonderful and a great thing for the community spirit. The story behind it is fascinating – what a generous and thoughtful person Mr. Burns must have been. Lovely photos, too. The Snoopy and the Red Baron stories are great and the sentiment behind this snippet is similar to the way things happened in reality between opposing troops in the trenches. Hope for the future, as you say. Lovely post, L.T.