Island Light: Christmas Day
North Road decorated for the season.
North Road decorated for the season.
Lobster pot Christmas tree on Edgartown's Main street.
Lobster pot Christmas tree on Edgartown's Main street.
A wreath to brighten the Gay Head Lighthouse.
A wreath to brighten the Gay Head Lighthouse.
The view from the hill at the Martha's Vineyard Museum.
The view from the hill at the Martha's Vineyard Museum.
Gas lanterns give North Water street a Dickensian feel.
Gas lanterns give North Water street a Dickensian feel.
Edgartown town hall, pretty as a Christmas card.
Edgartown town hall, pretty as a Christmas card.
Edgartown Lighthouse.
Edgartown Lighthouse.
Pamela Harwood and friend at Island Alpaca Farm.
Pamela Harwood and friend at Island Alpaca Farm.
A wise idea as temperatures plunge to the teens.
A wise idea as temperatures plunge to the teens.
Wednesday night of the winter solstice from East Chop.
Wednesday night of the winter solstice from East Chop.
High winds and choppy water interupted boat service this week.
High winds and choppy water interupted boat service this week.
Fishing nets on the working boats in Menemsha.
Fishing nets on the working boats in Menemsha.
Old pumping station at the Head of the Lagoon in Oak Bluffs.
Old pumping station at the Head of the Lagoon in Oak Bluffs.
Steeple was put back on the Tisbury town hall.
Steeple was put back on the Tisbury town hall.
Washashore due to heavy wind.
Washashore due to heavy wind.
Coast Guard helicopter makes the rounds in the sky.
Coast Guard helicopter makes the rounds in the sky.
Sunshine.
Sunshine.
Tugboat docked in Vineyard Haven harbor.
Tugboat docked in Vineyard Haven harbor.
You never know what you'll encounter hiking through Island woods.
You never know what you'll encounter hiking through Island woods.
December calm in Edgartown Great Pond.
December calm in Edgartown Great Pond.
Off season for this tractor.
Off season for this tractor.
Dusk at Lagoon Pond Road.
Dusk at Lagoon Pond Road.
Heavy surf at Katama.
Heavy surf at Katama.
Friday's rain brought flooding.
Friday's rain brought flooding.
Big rollers from Nantucket Sound.
Big rollers from Nantucket Sound.
Saturday brought snow on Christmas Eve.
Saturday brought snow on Christmas Eve.
Airport delayed some flights.
Airport delayed some flights.
We always wonder at this time of year about new greetings, about better ways to say Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. But there is no better way to convey the message of Christmas. The old exchanges serve the season best and that will remain so for all the years to come. Holiday greetings are heard across the Island and the sounds of seasonal music carry in Island streets.
The twinkle of holiday lights keeps the Island bright, and friends and families return to the Vineyard to celebrate the season. Candles light the windows of Island homes and church altars speak to the joy and compassion of the Christmas season.