I grew up in Northern Alberta and Christmas was a special time of the year. I recall cold winter nights. I mean they were cold–almost minus 40 at night. Our windows upstairs were partly frosted over and on moonlit nights the light kept me awake or that is what I told others.
During Advent, my mom and older brothers walked across the street for evening Mass. The younger ones, including me, went to bed. I did not fall asleep right away and would watch out the window for them to come home. I thought no one saw me, but my Mom would come up and tell me to go to bed.
The other experience I recall is the Northern Lights and how you could hear them as they lit up the sky. We don’t see them very often in Edmonton with the urban light. When we spent time at the farm at Christmas, we heard and saw them there. Again, on cold nights we heard the train (about a mile away) and it sounded like it was coming right through the house.
I wrote this poem several years ago about the magic provided by the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) and Christmas. What message was in those celestial colours and sounds? As a child, I thought the sky talked to me and told me a creation story.
Small children–
Breathlessly wait,
Peer through frosted window
Soak it in.
Heavens ripple–
Lights undulate;
A celebratory fury
An indisputable guide.
This old house speaks;
Nature answers–
The heavens crackle
Sweet symphonic sounds shimmer.
Earth’s floor–
Blanketed in white
Celestial colours speak to me
Captures young senses.
A vivid winter scene,
A sensual, sensory palette,
Reminds me–
Christ’s Mass is here.
ivonprefontaine
Teacher as Transformer 
[ Smiles ] Merry Christmas to you, my friend!
Thank you. It is good to hear from you. Take care and enjoy Christmas with those close to you.
[ Smiles ] You are welcome and thank you so kindly!
Beautiful poem and photo. Thank you and Merry Christmas.
Thank you and Merry Christmas.
Lovely memories and a beautiful poem. A merry Christmas to you and yours, Ivon.
Thank you Don. Merry Christmas to you and those cloe to you.
Merry Christmas!!
Thank you. Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.
Beautiful poem, Beautiful memories, Beautiful post! I hope you had a lovely Christmas. xxxx
Thank you. We did. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas.
I am so glad you did, we did too 😊
Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year
Thank you. I hope you will had a Merry Christmas and wil have a wonderful New Year, as well.
My best wishes for a beautiful, happy Christmas time ! Your poem is very sensible… amitiés – france
Merci France. Joyeux Nöel et Bonne Année.
A Wonderful reflection and words Ivon. Thank you for sharing. I hope you had a warm and loving Christmas. 💕
Thank you Val. We did. I hope yours was the same.
Merry Christmas to you. Hope and pray you have a blessed and wonderful Christmas season.
Thank you Karina. May you and your loved ones have a Merry and Blessed Christmas.
Hah! I never knew the Northern Lights speak, Ivon. Wow! My childhood Christmas memories are from the tropics. They, too, are filled with vibrant lights, colors, and sounds. Not nature-made. Nonetheless exciting.
Hope your Christmas this year was also memorable! 😉 xoxoM
The Northern Lights crackle when it is really cold. The colours do not have to be nature made. We are capable of bringing my light and joy into the world. Take care and enjoy Margarita.
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
BEE-YEW-TEE-FULL!!!
I’d love to see the lights, but had no idea they were accompanied by sounds.
On a clear and cold night, when they move they crackle. The futher north a peson goes the greater the noise.
I so remember the magic of those Northern Lights when I lived in Maine those 34 years. Nothing quite like them, especially if the sky is otherwise dark and starry and snow blankets as far as the eye can see. Ahhhh. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas, Ivon.
Lovely poem, Ivon! Merry Christmas to you and yours.(❁´▽`❁)*✲ﾟ*
Thank you. A belated Merry Christmas to you and yours and Happy New Year.
~ヾ(＾∇＾)