A Jew looks at Christmas Part 3

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To me the Nativity scene, Santa Claus, the Rockettes, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Carols, Jingle Bells, snow, cold weather, horse and carriage rides in Central Park, the skating rinks in Rockefeller Center and Central Park, decorated store windows, hot chestnuts, etc., just to name a few things--ALL make up Christmas. It's 79 degrees outside but I can walk into a South Florida mall and see a Christmas tree, a kid sitting on Santa's lap, watch another kid throw a fake snowball, hear "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" on the loudspeaker and it is Christmas for me!!! Now my Christmas may not acknowledge Christ or any religious aspect that a Christian may but I feel as warm, as moved, surrounded by cheers of "Merry Christmas" or seeing pins on women's clothes of lit up Santa Clauses as anyone can. I look around and I think of "Peace on earth, goodwill to men" whether it is looking at a Christmas wreath or a Hanukah bush. I was 16 and saw myself as a sophisticated man of the world with my cashmere leather-trimmed, falling just below the knee, overcoat, leather gloves, brown fur earmuffs and a cashmere scarf thrown around my neck in cavalier fashion about to take my first horse and carriage ride through Central Park with someone I had just met in the Oak Room of the Plaza hotel. I can tell you every inch of that ride and the beauty of being in the park in the middle of Manhattan surrounded by towering buildings sparkling like many colored jewels on a dark, snowy night three days before Christmas but I couldn't tell you a thing about the person I was with. I started this series off by saying I probably will never experience another Christmas season in New York but my memories of such magical times in my life will be with me forever. Whether I hear a choir singing carols or "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" or "All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth" heard on the speakers in a mall or see and/or smell holly, mistletoe, a pine tree or a nativity scene or a menorah or Santa Claus or watching "It's a Wonderful Life" an unforgettable time will come rushing to me. It is never too early for "Peace on earth and goodwill towards men" I hope that each of you who have never experienced the magic, the wonder, the awe, the excitement, the meaning of the holiday, get at least one chance to have Christmas in New York City.