Historic buildings in downtown Faribault are decorated for the holiday season.
MY COMMUNITY OF FARIBAULT offers an array of holiday events ranging from theatrical productions to a holiday figure skating show, concerts and more. Each year I try to take in some of those activities not only because I enjoy them, but because it’s important to pause in the busyness of the season. We can get so wrapped up in gifts and decorations, baking and other holiday stuff that stress, rather than joy, dominates our days.
This rendition of Linus, on loan from the Faribault Woolen Mill, stood in the lobby of the Paradise Center for the Arts during the recent holiday play.
Months ago, upon learning that the Paradise Community Theatre was performing Twice the Cheer: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and A Charlie Brown Christmas in a single showing, I purchased four tickets to a Sunday matinee performance. I invited my eldest daughter and her husband to join my husband and me. Twenty-four years ago, Amber and her little sister played Baby Angels in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at our church, Trinity Lutheran in Faribault. Thus, this play means something to our family.
The Paradise version wasn’t exactly like the one produced at my church. It was updated with the main characters, a family of unruly and outcast children, modernized. It worked. They were believable and memorable.
Yet, for me, the most memorable line in the play (and I can’t recall who said it) referenced Mary and Joseph as refugees. I’d never thought of them in that way and it seems particularly fitting given the world today. There are times in life when we all feel somewhat displaced, whether by circumstances or challenges or an actual physical move. Sometimes life is just plain hard.
Skaters pose for photos after presenting The Chronicles of Narnia.
Which is precisely why it’s helpful to occasionally escape into a make-believe world. And that I did during the recent holiday figure skating show at Shattuck-St. Mary’s School in Faribault. The annual December performance is a free gift to the community. This year students presented their version of The Chronicles of Narnia. I’ve never read the fantasy book series nor seen the movie, which left me clueless. Still, I could admire the young women gliding across the ice, twirling and skating with the carefree abandon of youth.
Beauty in the details of a holiday themed outdoor arrangement outside Bluebird Cakery in downtown Faribault.
In these final days before Christmas, I hope you take the time to slow down, to savor the moments, to appreciate the people around you, to do something thoughtful for a “refugee” (someone in need) in your community.
Copyright 2015 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
© Copyright 2015 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Good morning, Audrey. Again, you present us with some lovely holiday photos. A Cheese Cave? Now you are really working to get me to jump in the car and head up north! Ha ha! 😀
The Cheese Cave is the name of the retail store for our local cheesemaker. Blue cheese and Gorgonzola cheese are made in Faribault and aged in caves.
The “Narnia Tales” are a must see!!! Rent the movie!!!! It will draw you in….guaranteed (I was skeptical of my reaction but I thoroughly enjoyed it and the quality of the writing was perfection!). Enjoy every moment of your family time!!! Hugs………………….
Maybe on a cold winter evening, I’ll watch Narnia Tales.
That would be perfect……don’t forget the hot chocolate!!!!!!
It sounds like you’ve done some lovely things in the lead up to Christmas. I do love Christmas pageants. I love CS Lewis books and am a huge fan of ‘The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe’ xx
I really do need to read CS Lewis.
yes you should read one of my favorites The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe. C.S. Lewis writes with much symbolism. Thanks for reminder of how we need to stop- savor the season and the reason for it all.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
I will check my son’s book stash. I’m pretty certain he has your favorite book.
Merry Christmas to you and yours also, Sue.