Hands down, Christmas is my favorite time of the year.
I love the lights and colors, the decorations, music, food – the wonderful traditions — and even though it has been decades since my husband and I have experienced Christmas with a child, I still feel the magic of the season.
My mother loved Christmas. When my sisters and I were children, we spent many happy hours before Christmas crafting holiday ornaments and decorating the house. There was even a friendly rivalry with a neighbor to see who would get the holiday lights up first! Christmas music filled the house, and holiday foods were part of the season. A special tradition in our home was Christmas Eve dinner, which grew from five to 13 as sons-in-law and grandchildren joined the family. Many of the Christmas traditions of my childhood became traditions with my own children, and while those memories are what contribute to the magic of the holiday, others now enrich this season as well.
In Cortez, the season kicks off with The Parade of Lights as we enjoy the music, lights and creativity of friends and neighbors braving the cold to decorate and then ride on their floats. After the parade, a stop at the Cortez Cultural Center to visit with friends and enjoy some holiday treats and entertainment has become a must.
Several local choirs spend months planning Christmas concerts, and all are welcomed to attend these performances – a gift from the musical members of our community to the rest of us. There are holiday bazaars, open houses, luminarias and visits with Santa.
One of the things I love about Christmas is that it’s a time to reflect on our blessings and open our hearts to others. This is the “season for giving,” and while the emphasis is on giving to others, the very act of giving to someone else becomes a gift we give ourselves and often spurs the recipient to “pay it forward,” creating a wonderful chain of generosity touching others in a way the original giver could not have anticipated.
I am continually impressed by the level of caring members of this community exhibit, not only on a personal level, but through the services and organizations they support to meet the needs of those who are struggling. If you are in search of ways to expand your giving during this holiday, consider sponsoring a child who might not have Christmas without your generosity. The newspaper and Pinon Project, as well as area churches, can provide you with the names of children or families who could use some help this holiday season.
Our non-profits are always in need of financial support, but they could also use your time and talents. The Bridge Emergency Shelter website lists a number of ways folks can help. Hospice of Montezuma County needs volunteers and will train them. How about volunteering to prepare meals at St. Barnabas or the Methodist Church or work on a Habitat for Humanity project? Do you love libraries, or would you like to introduce the world of reading to a child? The Cortez Public Library could use your talents. Many non-profits could use folks willing to serve on their boards – if you’ve never served on a board, reconsider serving in the New Year. A willingness to serve is the primary qualification!
I always think that “hustle, bustle” is the perfect description of the season – busy, frenetic activity or excitement – which sometimes causes stress along with the excitement, but I also find that the season brings a sense of anticipation and the eternal hope that the goodwill that comes with this holiday will stay long after we have taken down the decorations, eaten the last cookie, and slipped back into our normal routine.
On behalf of City Council and staff, I extend our best wishes for a wonderful holiday season with a reminder that each of us can carry the goodwill and generosity of this “most wonderful time of the year” throughout the New Year.
Karen Sheek is the mayor of Cortez, a position elected by Council members. She was re-elected to City Council in 2016 and elected mayor for a third term in 2018 running until April 2020. At that time a new Council will be seated, and the mayor will be term-limited. Reach her at ksheek@cityofcortez.com