Island Light: Christmas Eve
Signs of the off-season at Dockside.
Signs of the off-season at Dockside.
Christmas trees looking for a home to spend Christmas in.
Christmas trees looking for a home to spend Christmas in.
Jason and Julia are prepared for snow in their sleigh.
Jason and Julia are prepared for snow in their sleigh.
Ready for the yuletide fire.
Ready for the yuletide fire.
Colors of the season brighten Martha's Vineyard Marina's boat yard.
Colors of the season brighten Martha's Vineyard Marina's boat yard.
Oak Bluffs Harbor on a cold December morning.
Oak Bluffs Harbor on a cold December morning.
East Chop Gems winter over in their cradles.
East Chop Gems winter over in their cradles.
The geese have the land and view all to themselves.
The geese have the land and view all to themselves.
Time takes its toll on this barn on Middle Road.
Time takes its toll on this barn on Middle Road.
Above Menemsha Harbor, this weathervane feels which way the wind blows.
Above Menemsha Harbor, this weathervane feels which way the wind blows.
Off-season on Menemsha docks.
Off-season on Menemsha docks.
Menemsha fishing shacks in the bright December sun.
Menemsha fishing shacks in the bright December sun.
Squibnocket beachscape.
Squibnocket beachscape.
Sky, land, and water at Eel Pond.
Sky, land, and water at Eel Pond.
Schooners Alabama and Shenandoah celebrate With Christmas trees at the top oftheir masts.
Schooners Alabama and Shenandoah celebrate With Christmas trees at the top oftheir masts.
"Heap on more wood!" wrote Sir Walter Scott. "The wind is chill; But let it whistle as it will, We'll keep our Christmas merry still." The poet, in his wisdom, knew the secret of Christmas magic that the child does not yet grasp. This season, the darkest of the year, isn't merry unless we make it so. Christmas isn't one of those magic tricks that loses all its power once you see how it's done. You learn, as you grow older, that making this holiday happen is a simple matter of hard work. And you are amazed to discover, each year, that the magic of the season endures and even deepens.
We are most grateful, this morning, for all our neighbors who understand the secret of this season and have worked so hard to make our Island Christmas a merry one.