CP Holiday Train visits Pincher Station

CP Holiday Train arrives at Pincher Station (C. Davis photos except where noted)

Chris Davis - The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train stopped at Pincher Station on the morning of December 11. A large crowd was assembled in warmer than usual weather to enjoy the music of Alan Doyle and The Beautiful Band on the Holiday Train stage. The Holiday Train is used as an incentive to donate to local food banks in the United States and Canada. "The Holiday Train program is all about local food banks and food shelves and the critical role they play in our communities," according to Keith Creel, CP's President and Chief Executive Officer.

Chasing the Holiday Train - Jason Paul Sailer photos

2017 Winter Lights awards winners announced

Residential winner - 552 Main Street - Tanya Soveran and Cory Bowen (house photos by Kathleen Hancock)

C.Davis/T.Lucas - The Town of Pincher Creek and Pincher Creek Communities In Bloom once again promoted beautifying the community with a Christmas Decorating Challenge this season. Judges toured the community on November 29 to look at businesses and December 6 to look at residences. Some decorators missed the deadline, but were thanked at the presentation for their efforts to brighten up the community. This was the sixth year of the event. A Social event with snacks and refreshments and presentations to the winners was held at Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village on the evening of December 13.

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Some of the winners with judges and organizers at Dec. 13 presentation event

Be fire smart as you deck the halls

Minister Anderson, Fire Chief Dan Lemieux (Strathcona County Emergency Services) and Strathcona County Mayor Rod Frank talked about being fire smart with decorations and cooking during the holiday season.

Government of Alberta - Fire-related deaths double in Alberta during the holiday season, so follow these safety tips to keep you and your family safe. 

Xmas notes

"Xmas" used on a Christmas postcard, 1910 (Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain)

Joyce Sasse, Spiritual Gleanings - “XMAS” someone challenged when they saw the word written on a church sign board. “You’re taking the Christ out of Christmas!”

“Heavens no!” I replied. “This is not the x of unknown quantity. This ‘X’ is the Greek Letter ‘Chi’ that stands for Christ, and is prominent in so many church symbols. This puts Christ at the very centre of the celebration!”

The little red wagon

Cover of "Little Red Wagon: Miracle Renewed" by Walter Farquharson

Source unknown (submitted by Joyce Sasse) - In a little Mexican town there was a simple little church where the true spirit of Christmas still lived. It was the custom there, on Christmas Eve, to put many candles on the altar and, close by, little figures of the Nativity Scene.

Grieving Children and Youth at Christmas

Joyce Sasse - Christmas should be a celebration time for children, or so we think. But for many the glitter and giggles, the thrills and excitement make them feel worse. It may be because they are grieving.

If a family member or friend has died, if they’ve lost a pet, or if there is illness of someone close, sadness could be expected. What if they are overwhelmed by the bleakness of broadcast-news, or have developed an awareness brought on by something at school? The suffering experienced by a classmate can short-circuit any pending feeling of celebration

Teenagers carry their own burdens of sorrow and depression.

Wanted: Someone to share Christmas

Joyce Sasse - Being single, and always living in small family-centred communities, I’m most grateful when one of those families invites me to share Christmas dinner with them. That was the same tradition my mom followed – including all the “strays” and extending the table to fit more people.

Joseph at the front of the stable

Joseph and Mary arrive at Bethlehem - William Brassey Hole   (Wikimedia commons)

Joyce Sasse - Men have sometimes been labeled as the “stagehands” of Christmas: following through on the orders of their wives, and financing the extravaganza.

But when Ann Weems, in her book Kneeling in Bethlehem, thinks of Joseph’s place in the stable, she envisions him being more central to the Christmas Story.

Blue Christmas meditation

‘Blessed are you because of who God is’

Rev. Donalee Williams for the Blue Christmas Service at First United Church, Fort McMurray - In my experience, loss can bring out some of the worst … advice. In situations of loss I have received well-worn words that give dubious comfort at best. And in humility I confess the times when I’ve offered some less-than-awesome advice.

Beacons of Hope

Joyce Sasse, Spiritual Gleanings - At the darkest time of the year, Christmas is a celebration of light ... And that light is shared with the whole community. What a gift!

Carolers sing “the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight”. Those who prophecy declare that God cares enough to dwell among us. Storytellers speak of weary travelers searching for a place where the woman can deliver her child. Those who laud the newborn child include creatures of the field, angels from the heavens, astrologers from distant places, and local townsfolk.

The legend of the Christmas rose

Local restaurateur Loretta Packham's award winning display at Mrs. P's included a large homage to one of her favourite Christmas tales, reproduced below.

The Legend of the Christmas Rose speaks of a young girl named Madelon who wanted to come worship the Christ Child. Seeing the gold, frankincense and myrrh brought by others who were drawn to the humble birthplace, she despaired that she had no gift to bring, for Madelon was poor indeed.

Mary and Elizabeth

Meeting of Mary and Elisabeth - M. Reichlich (Wikimedia commons)

Joyce Sasse - Mary, the young peasant girl, found herself pregnant and scared. Luke tells her story leading up to the Christmas event.

This was supposed to be a blessed occurrence, he tells us, but Mary was confused and alone. She thought of Elizabeth, an older relative known for her wisdom.

Country Christmas

Joyce Sasse - Think of the many teachings we can share with our children and with the new comers in our midst because the Christmas story is set within the background of a rural culture.

Letters to Santa from Livingstone School's ECS class

Santa at the 2016 Pincher Creek Countdown to Christmas parade

Dear Santa Claus,
I am excited for Christmas! At Christmas I like to decorate. This year I would really like a ninja truck, please.
Merry Christmas from Carter G.

2016 Pincher Creek Christmas Decorating Challenge winners

Champion – 361 Canyon Drive - Garry and Ruth Cleland

The winners of the 2016 Pincher Creek Christmas Decorating Challenge have been announced.  The event was judged on Wednesday, December 7.  It was open to both residences and businesses for the first time since the competition began as the Winter Lights Competition in 2010.  Hosted by the Town of Pincher Creek and Communities in Bloom, this gave everyone the chance to shine with imaginative and colorful light displays throughout the entire town.

Santa visits the MCC Arena

Santa and Hanna have a chat

Chris Davis - Santa Claus made a special trip to Pincher Creek's Memorial Community Centre Arena last Thursday to visit with some Pincher Creek Chinooks hockey players and their fans and family members, and of course to hear suggestions as to what he might bring them for Christmas this year. Santa and his long-time assistant Cal Olson also handed out goodie bags to those who attended. (Note: the gallery below may take a few moments to load, depending on your internet connection and equipment)

Held ransom by consumerism

Joyce Sasse, Spiritual Gleanings

Beware lest we be held ransom by consumerism this Christmas!

Already the tsunami of stuff is building in our stores, on the media, and with our expectations. It threatens to over-run our date books.

“Whose birthday is it anyway?” How would you really like the season to unfold if you were in charge of the details? Take charge!

Letters to Santa Claus from St. Michael's Elementary students

Mariah

Grade 1

Can you ask your elves to make me a Hatch a Mole and a makeup kit please?

Thank you for all the presents you have brought me.

Love Mariah

Letters to Santa from Livingstone School grades 1 and 2

Grade 1

Ryiss P.

Dear Santa,

I want a remote control car. I hope you have a good day. 

Love, Ryiss P.