Art Is… by Bev Jackson Cotter

As I meandered through “Home for Christmas” — The Albert Lea Art Center’s Festival of Trees at Northbridge Mall — I couldn’t help but admire the wonderful imaginations that created the decorated trees set in an atmosphere of greens, lighting, various themes, beautiful colors, and a warm, creative and cozy feeling of caring and respect for the season.

What is it about Christmas that inspires that creativity and warmth?

To anyone of the Christian faith, that is a “duh” question. Of course, the answer is obvious.

The humble birth of Christ in a stable, the star, angels singing, visits by shepherds and wise men — it’s a beautiful story, one that has been honored by artists for centuries.

Somehow, that unique feeling goes beyond one religion. There is something about Christmas that has a special place in one’s heart.

I was listening to Minnesota Public Radio recently when the topic of discussion was “What movies do you watch at Christmas time?” People calling in described movies with happy, warm, fuzzy themes and sad stories and scary and brave themes. Each family seemed to have a different idea about their Christmas movie tradition, yet the one message that echoed through every phone call was “We’re together, it’s tradition and it wouldn’t be Christmas without it.”

I understand that lives change. That child who was so excited about a package under the tree grows up and moves across the country. Families fracture over unforgiven differences. People become seriously ill or pass on. What was a family tradition changes with our evolving times.

There is something about this season that surpasses those life changes. It’s as if tradition seems to be the glue that keeps the memories dear.

For many hundreds of years the Christmas story has been interpreted on canvas, on plaster walls, on tapestries, in books, in olive wood, in music, on greeting cards, on film and in real life scenarios by adults and children.

Then we must add Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus and the elves, the North Pole, reindeer, Rudolph, Scrooge, the Grinch, Chipmunks, trees of all sizes and colors, lighted icicles hanging from the roof, Bing Crosby, inflatable plastic snowmen, holiday sales, sprinkled cookies, candy canes, baked ham and songs by our favorite carolers.

As I decorate our home for Christmas, carefully hanging the red celluloid balls and silver tinsel and placing the angel-hair angel on the top of our tree  — all items from my childhood — and as I reminisce about souvenir ornaments from travels, gifts from friends and smiles on the faces of my children when they brought home the ornaments they made in school, it seems that for a little while, the busy-ness and bustle of the season recedes and, instead, the love and caring of family and community come to the fore. Maybe that’s how it happens.

Maybe, as we stroll through each and every aspect of the Christmas season, we’re reminded of what is really important in our lives.

No matter how you celebrate the Christmas season, alone or together, at home or away, with a nativity set on the table or without, I hope the beauty and art of Christmas, the love of family and the respect for traditions of others make your holidays ever so wonderful.

Bev Jackson Cotter is a member of the Albert Lea Art Center, 226 W. Clark St. in Albert Lea.