As the holidays fall into line and we enjoy one and then look forward to the next one we do so with the thoughts of what it will bring. Once we pass the family gathering of Thanksgiving we turn our thoughts to what might just be the largest holiday of the year. That of course would be Christmas. Yes the day that we honor the birth of Jesus Christ our savior. This of course is why the holiday has the name that it has. The thing is this holiday in no way stops at just that.

Clermont County’s Rick Houser has released a second book, this one titled “Memories from the Heart.”

Christmas of course has so many areas that are wrapped up into it that it can be tangled in just what is for what. The month leading up to the actual day is a season of bright colors and the hustle and bustle of people out and about preparing for that day. Since the three wise men brought Jesus gifts it is now a major part of what the season is all about these days. Probably to the point of overdone. But with that said, just about every part of what gets done is a little overdone. Now I understand the gift part of the season and I know that the Christmas tree came from the German tradition of the tree where the gifts are to be placed. Still I have a big question.

Where did the tradition of the Christmas tree lights come from? This time of the year, it is safe that you are going to see light displays as you travel in the dark. From on, the houses to the trees in a yard and over our heads as we drive down the main street of the towns. It is safe to say the light shows add some more pleasure to the season. But where did it come from? Where indeed did this idea of bright and many colored lights come from? My original thought was that right after Thomas Edison invented the electric lightbulb either Edison himself or someone else thought to their self “hey what if we made light bulbs in different colors and sell them at Christmas time?” Who knows as it might have been that way? Somewhere along in there the idea did arise and it is very safe to say that as long as there has been electricity there has been Christmas lights.

I recall that back in the 50’s we had a couple of strands of light bulbs to put on our Christmas tree. In those days, the bulbs were bigger in size than today’s twinkle lights. They also were wired to operate on direct current electric. This simply means that that the electric runs on a continuous flow passing through each bulb. Therefore, when a bulb would burn out then the entire stand went out. Then began the search for the burnt bulb by entering a new bulb and moving from socket to socket until the bad one was found. Now here is one tradition I doubt anyone misses.

These days we have the twinkle lights. Smaller but brighter and the fact that they can twinkle on and off gives cause to they being liked so much. In addition, many more lights per square foot are needed to meet the desired look. I know that we at one point had an either 8 foot or 10 foot tree and once we covered it with what we felt were the appropriate number of lights they delivered a very pleasing sight and in my opinion, it gave off a sight that enhanced the holiday season. Also people are so creative with how and what they decorate. It can be a very enjoyable event to just drive around and observe. I know when our kids were young we would do just that.

One year when our children were five and eleven, maybe we went out a lot as it really entertained our son Brendan who could be difficult at times. One evening we went out in the country to see some of the places where folks had really put on big displays. Now as we had gone out pretty far and one might even say we were in the middle of nowhere we saw a sight that can never be forgotten. John and Pam Pettit had built a home with a newly dug out lager pond in front of the house.

However, in front of the pond and right at the roads edge they had bought and placed a storage barn and painted it bright red. From the house and around the pond and onto this shed were lights. Later I learned there were over one thousand lights out there. The shed had become Santa’s’ workshop and in front of the shed sat John dressed up as Santa and his wife dressed up as Mrs. Claus. With him resting in a big chair and all dressed up and almost as one could see they had made the world a magical sight. The lights around the pond reflected off the pond which made it look like the pond was lighted up also.

This sight was one that was unexpected to my wife or me but since we knew them and knew them to be very good folks we stopped and let the kids go see Santa. My son was skeptical about there being a Santa Claus but that night and at that place, he seemed to want to climb up and visit with this man in red. He even told him what he was wanting from him on Christmas day. As he talked to Santa, my wife talked to Mrs. Claus (Pam). They were attending the same church and had gone to the same school so they found much to talk about. I know I just looked and studied all that was around me. I later learned that John and Pam did this all out of their own pockets as they just wanted to do it and loved entertaining the children. (The electric company had to have loved them when they were doing this.)

Now as Santa and Brendan were ending their chat Santa reached behind him and said here son have an apple. Brendan grabbed that apple, held it tight on the ride home, and kept it in a safe spot for a few days. Since he really didn’t like apples I could only think it was who gave it to him was why he held on to it.

So as the Christmas season comes and goes there is always a chance to see what you never thought of seeing. It seems to be a season that gives most a more mellow approach to the world and those around them. This year we need to be more mellow and good towards each other. Who knows you may just drive out into the middle of nowhere and find Sana and his workshop.

Rick Houser grew up on a farm near Moscow in Clermont County and loves to share stories about his youth and other topics. If you are interested in reading more of his stories they can be found in his books ‘There are Places to Remember” and’ Memories ARE from the Heart.” He may be reached at [email protected] or mail to P.O. Box 213 Bethel, Ohio 45106.