Island Light: Christmas Week
Fish pots make the tree and buoys are the trimming at Memorial Wharf.
Fish pots make the tree and buoys are the trimming at Memorial Wharf.
Time for a ride in a two-horse open sleigh down Main Street Vineyard Haven.
Time for a ride in a two-horse open sleigh down Main Street Vineyard Haven.
Unseasonably warm temperatures bring golfers, such as West Tisbury police chief Dan Rossi, out to the links.
Unseasonably warm temperatures bring golfers, such as West Tisbury police chief Dan Rossi, out to the links.
Great Rock Bight sparkles under picture perfect blue skies.
Great Rock Bight sparkles under picture perfect blue skies.
Bevy of swans ride out the fog on Chilmark Pond.
Bevy of swans ride out the fog on Chilmark Pond.
Restored barn at Cranberry Acres along Lambert's Cove Road.
Restored barn at Cranberry Acres along Lambert's Cove Road.
Clouds scud by in blue skies over Oak Bluffs.
Clouds scud by in blue skies over Oak Bluffs.
Migratory fish crows gather at the East Chop Beach Club.
Migratory fish crows gather at the East Chop Beach Club.
Extending into Vineyard Sound, this pier is taking the winter off.
Extending into Vineyard Sound, this pier is taking the winter off.
Still standing from another era, Chilmark's brick works chimney rises.
Still standing from another era, Chilmark's brick works chimney rises.
Even as the days grow shorter and darker and the first day of winter approaches, the Vineyard turns brighter and depends on the lovely strings of seasonal lights and decorations to illuminate the passing December days. Candles light the windows of Island homes and church altars speak to the joy and compassion of a Christmas season colored by special festivities and music and theatre and thoughts not of ourselves but of others.