THOSE THINGS WE SAVOR ON CHRISTMAS by Marisa Masterson

Riding into town, the three travelers passed a small, brick church. Snow flurries danced in the air and candles glowed in each of the church’s windows. The Christmas Eve service had started. Organ music drifted to them. Silent night, holy night. Voices now joined the organ, drawing a wistful feeling from Charity. This was her first Christmas Eve as a believer, and how she wished she could spend it in that church. Thad’s baritone joined the congregation as they rode past. Charity gladly joined him. She’d learned the song years before. The words hadn’t meant anything to her, at least nothing more than an old story or legend. This year, she treasured the sacrifice Christ made to become a man and bring her grace.

Snow. Candles. Caroles. They're all a part of the Christmases so many of us have enjoyed in our lives. The idyllic Christmas. 

Since I write romance with a great deal of action and suspense, adding these tender scenes into my books makes for a sweet change during the holiday season. The one above is from my latest novel, Detective to the Rescue, part of the Christmas Rescue series. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08121FXK3

In the story, a young woman has been trained by her uncle. While he's a very successful Pinkerton agent, her first case was a flop. She has one more chance at a case and has to succeed. She's willing to do what it takes to make that happen--even if it means posing as a stranger's wife. 

Nothing seems to work like she expected. Is it any wonder she suddenly finds herself married for real!

In addition to writing novels to release specifically at Christmas, holiday scenes are sometimes worked into my other novels. Last month, I released A Bride for Boss. The scene that truly bonds the new family together takes place at Christmas.

In the main room, a large sock hung from the mantle. Behind the low hanging sock, a pine knot popped in the cheery fire that drew Frankie. The room was cold, reminding Frankie that she was living in a mud house.

As she rubbed her hands near the flames, Boss reached around her to lift the sock off of the nail. He pointed to the nail before giving Marsha the sock.

“See that nail, precious girl. That one’s yours for every Christmas.”

His daughter puckered her face in confusion. Boss’s voice quavered as he tried to explain. “Christmas is a special day each year. It’s precious so we give you a present to celebrate.”

Carrying the girl to the sofa covered by a gray wool blanket, Boss sat with her on his lap and offered Marsha the bulging stocking. She held it but didn’t reach inside.

Frankie joined them, sitting close to her husband.  Smiling at Marsha, she rolled the top of the stocking down. “I think there’s something fun inside for Marsha,” she crooned.

At those words, the girl’s face changed from confusion to excitement. She seemed to now understand that the contents were hers and reached in to pull out the surprise.

Her little fingers entwined in yarn and pulled out a soft rag doll. Its face had been embroidered with skill, and a finely sewn calico dress covered the rag body. From the doll’s neck, a bonnet dangled down its back.

Where and when had her husband bought it? She knew he couldn’t have made it in the night. Had he slipped out while she slept?

Marsha’s lips pursed as she oohed over her doll. Cradling the rag doll, the little one rocked it slowly. Then she surprised her new parents.

“Baby.”

Frankie met her husband’s startled gaze and grinned. “Another new word! I think the words are locked up in her brain, only she’s been too afraid to use them.”

Rubbing a hand over her child’s dark hair, Frankie softly asked Boss about the doll. “When did you have a chance to get it? Weren’t the stores closed today?”

With a nod of his head, Boss answered her. “Yeah, I haven’t left the house.”

His voice faltered a bit as he looked at a distant corner of the room while speaking. “I had a sister who died young of yellow fever.” He ducked his head in embarrassment as he explained. “I’ve kept her doll all these years. Just somethin’ to remember her by, I guess.”

Frankie gave him a worried look. “It won’t bother you to see Marsha play with it? Maybe even get it dirty?”

His head shook from side to side. “Nah. Marie’s been gone years. The toy’s been stuffed in a chest without me lookin’ at it. Time for it to be used.” Then he gave a gruff laugh. “Anyhow, can’t have my girl here goin’ without. This bein’ our first Christmas together.”

Tears pooled in Frankie’s eyes, and she willed them away. Serious, reserved spinsters didn’t cry.

Of course, she left that life behind to become a wife and mother. Maybe a mother could be forgiven tears in a tender situation like this one. She hoped so since the moisture ran down her cheeks now.

Clement Moore's poem A Visit from St. Nicholas (The Night Before Christmas), written as a gift for his ill child who wanted a Santa Claus story, is in part responsible for a great deal of our traditions at Christmas. The stocking hung by the fireplace. Gifts for children. 

Early on, Christmas festivities were for adults. Children had very little to do with the holiday. It was a time for drinking and being, well, merry. As an example, take a look at what is considered the very first Christmas card.

It might be a little blurry for you to make it out. If you look carefully, the child is drinking wine from an adults glass. Nothing innocent about the Christmas celebration on this card. In fact, when it was produced many in the public were outraged that it showed a child drinking.

I prefer the warm, child-centered Christmases I've known with decorated cookies and lights on the tree. We'd play I spy each night. The lights would be turned off and we'd take turns describing a decoration. The game was to see who could be the first to find the one being described. Perhaps your family had something similar. For me, it was an essential part of the Christmas and one of the few times my mother played a game with me.

Regardless of traditions, this year is bound to be a very different Christmas. No matter what doesn't happen or can't be done this holiday, it is still the time to remember the incredible gift of Jesus. A simple Christmas might be the best way for us to focus on that.

Check out my other Christmas Release, A Strongman for Christmas, at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08M9N79FY. This mail-order bride romance will surprise you with the twists the heroine's life takes. 

"To be honest, this didn't sound like a book I would enjoy. A woman marries a man in a traveling circus...does not sound romantic. Boy was I was wrong. Like all of Marisa Masterson's stories, I couldn't put it down once I started it. There was action, adventure, love and of course romance. This is a must read!"--Leona M.

"The storyline is a bit different from usual mail order bride stories but that's what made it appealing and kept my interest throughout."--Amazon Customer

"This was a nice sweet Christmas story with a circus added in. The setting of a circus was different and not something I’ve read before. The attraction between Wynona and Marvel was instant, even though he wasn’t her intended husband. As they start to enjoy their new life together, danger from the past arrives at the circus. Will Marvel be able to protect Wynona from her dangerous brother, or will Wynona take matters into her own hands. Very well written story with good character development. I would recommend this story to others. Even though it’s part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone story."--Theresa25

Christmas in the Old West

American Christmas traditions in the mid to late nineteenth century were very similar to what we enjoy today. Obviously, technology has advanced our gift giving and decorating traditions, but the concepts are the same.

Larger cities and warmer climates made for Christmas seasons full of cheer. Traditions were easier to follow and people were more mobile because the weather wasn’t quite so harsh, even in the northern cities. Goods were more plentiful – for gift giving and for cooking. 

Pioneers and those who lived off the land in the Old West, had more difficulty during the winter months. Blizzards and icy cold winds were just part of a regular winter on the plains and in the mountains. Celebrating the Christmas season wasn’t necessarily without joy. Difficult, yes, but not impossible as there were many ways the pioneers found to be festive and happy.

Much of society in the Old West revolved around church and community. Sleigh rides and snowball fights. Decorating a tree and draping the mantle with evergreen boughs. Greeting cards and warm holiday wishes. Stockings hanging on the fireplace and gifts. Feasting with family and friends. 

The holiday traditions from the more civilized areas of the country and the pioneer regions of the west were similar, indeed. Though the pioneer way of life with limitations and more hazards was simpler. 

Pioneers were strong people. They made it through nearly impossible weather conditions – blizzards, droughts, wind and rain storms. But no matter how difficult life was for them, they found ways to celebrate the happiest time of the year. The Christmas holiday represented hope and love for mankind in those days, just as it does today.

Bringing in an evergreen from the woods was a joyful event for the entire family. They’d gather to decorate with ribbons, yarn, berries, or whatever they had. Carved toys and dolls were often hung on the tree as those were prized possessions of the children and worthy of a special place on the tree. Even a small home would accommodate a tree, though it might look more like an evergreen bouquet rather than the grand trees we normally think of.

Even if the family didn’t do much to decorate their home, the holiday feast was a vital part of the celebration. Preserves and pickles were saved for this special meal. The best meats were brought home to be roasted in the open hearth for the celebration feast. The women started baking early to be sure to have all the pies, cakes, puddings, and cookies ready for the family and visitors they would host. The children were often treated to small hard candies if parents could afford such luxuries. Of course, only the good little boys and girls were given these much wished for treats.

Gift giving was modest according to the standards of the larger cities. Most gifts were home made. Family members would start working on special surprises for parents, children, and siblings months in advance of the season. Knitted items, embroidered delicates, dolls made of corn husks or rags, carved toys, or even furniture were special items that would be cherished and treasured.

And finally, Christmas Eve would arrive. Most families would sing carols together and read the Christmas story in their well-worn Bible. Maybe they’d tell some fairy tales. They may enjoy visits from neighbors who were welcomed to join their family traditions. 

On Christmas morning, most of the community would be present for the Christmas service where the children would be absolutely wild with wonder and happiness. Praising God for His most perfect gift, each family would return home to enjoy a traditional holiday meal. A feast that had been prepared with care and love for all who would join around the table on that day.

Yes, the spirit of Christmas was alive and well in the Old West. Simple. Humble. Sincere. Filled with love.

 

 

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Remember Cutter's Creek, Montana? Christmas in Cutter's Creek was a joyful time. If you want to find out what happened at the annual Christmas festival in 1882, here's the best place to read all about it. Christmas Spirit is available on Amazon.

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Annie Boone writes sweet western historical romance with a happy ending guaranteed in every single story. Inspiration comes in many forms and Annie finds more than one way to make her stories entertain and inspire.

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