‘Tis the Season
It doesn’t take much wandering around Clinton’s Square to see that Christmas is near. Most businesses have decorations, and usually there is a tree in the window. However, many stores have done more, and some have done a lot more.
Take for instance Simple Pleasures, 107 S. Washington. Not only does it have the decorations you might expect, but it also has a squadron of Santas to greet you. The owners Mary Gougher and Diane McClure bring in their families to help decorate.
“Every year we add something new” they said.
At Creative Paints and Supplies, 102 S. Main, owner Keith Weston takes delight in building Christmas villages in the store’s windows.
“It takes a lot of work,” Weston said, “but it’s something I enjoy doing.”
Weston says he buys pieces for the display all year, keeping an eye out at garage sales and online markets for another house or a fixture to add.
The Baker Law Firm, 129 W. Franklin, hired Barbara Mosley of Jerry’s Pest Management to decorate the windows. Barbara added lawyer’s bookcases and chairs to create a Christmas theme appropriate to the firm.
While the greatest concentration of Christmas decorations can be found around the Square, most churches and many businesses are showing their Christmas bling. First Baptist Church,1531 N. Vansant, has a stellar tree in the atrium that is a perfect example.
The classroom doors of Moreland Day Care, 115 E. Elm St. are hung with the Mistletoes—footprints of the children forming the mistletoe, as well as Santa handprints, again done by the children.
Christmas is about children who hope that St. Nicholas will visit them on Christmas Eve and leave something in their stockings. I’m hoping Santa brings me a new fishing boat.
For adults, the decorations and lights are a reminder that in the darkest month of the year, Jesus, the light of the world, is coming.
And that like businesses, churches and residents who put up decorations for the holidays, we are the light of the world for our neighbors.
