ADVENT CALENDAR

The first wisp of freshly cut Christmas trees, the arrival of the Sears

and Wards Wish Books, and pre-holiday “looking” in the basement

Toyland of Palmers on B Street in downtown Hayward. The

excruciatingly long weeks counting down to Christmas were always

exciting but seemingly endless for this 8 year old Castro Valley boy

growing up in the early 1950’s. My brother and I always looked

forward to our traditional trip to San Francisco with our dad and the

whopping $5.00 bill that we each could spend on a gift for ourselves

(but not open until Christmas morning!). Climbing from the Union

Square parking garage into the excitement of big city Christmas was

breathtaking. I can still recall squeezing through the crowds to get a

glimpse of the decorated windows of Macys, Gumps and Blums, the

huge Christmas tree in City of Paris and the Christmas magic in the

White House (anyone remember “Happy Holly”?). Five bucks could

go a long way in the countless aisles of goodies in Woolworths...but

you could get something bigger and better if you held out for that one

special thing. Monumental decisions for an 8 year old!. We waited in

line to see the thousands of lights and decorations in Podesta

Baldocci Florists but the greatest anticipation was the visit to the

Emporium’s ice show and roof top Christmas Kiddieland complete

with ferris wheel, merry-go-round...and of course a ride on the

miniature train 10 stories up in the middle of the city.

Sixty four winters have come and gone and the world has changed.

Christmas begins on Costco’s schedule around July some time,

Amazon and UPS are the new Santa and sleigh, and the of passing

time is relentlessly fast. It’s reassuring to know that advent is upon us

and that the gentle sounds of Silent Night will soon fill our sanctuary

as we complete our annual countdown to the lighting of the Christ

Candle.

Oh, I decided on a “Big Bang” cannon for $4.99 that I still have to this

day. -Bill (12/11/15)