Serving Barnwell County and its neighbors since 1852
Hello friends,
I hope this season brings special blessings to you and your loved ones.
This week as I was out and about talking with our neighbors about Christmas traditions, it dawned on me how beautifully sentimental most hearts become this time of year. Many families create what become nostalgic links to the past and kindred history.
I fondly recall as a child, sitting between my mother and youngest brother in the back seat of the family sedan. My father was driving and my eldest brother “rode shotgun” as we sang carols, riding through town looking at Christmas lights. I’ll never forget the warmth of my mother’s closeness and the sweet sound of her voice singing, “Johnny wants a pair of skates, Susie wants a sled, Nellie wants a picture book. Yellow, blue and red. Now I think I'll leave to you what to give the rest. Choose for me, dear Santa Claus, what you know is best.” Every time that song plays, I’ll forever hear my mother’s voice. And I’ll smile.
Traditions generate that kind of special love along with a sense of stability, bonding, belonging and a most appreciated warm feeling to hold onto through these chilly winter days.
Do you have a special Christmas tradition like these four community members kindly offered to share?
We'd love to hear about yours too if you’d like to email us at:
Thank you for being our friends, neighbors and devoted readers, doing your part in supporting this great community we are proud to call home.
In the words of Tiny Tim, “God bless us, everyone.”
John Rollins, Barnwell
John Rollins
Me and my fiance and our animals decorate our tree and gather around and have a really big meal. And helping the Salvation Army, well, this is the first year me and my fiance are doing it. I think it might become a regular tradition for us too. Everyone’s been very kind.
Hilary Hindman, Barnwell
Hilary Hindmann
My favorite tradition is our Christmas Eve service at church. Going to the candlelight service at First Baptist Barnwell and watching my children participate in that as well. And then waking up Christmas morning and having Christmas breakfast together and making Christmas cookies.
Ruby Shearer, Snelling
Ruby Shearer
The Christmas traditions I remember most is we always had a lot of fruit and a lot of joy and singing. A lot of singing songs! Christmas songs. One of my favorite Christmas songs has always been ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’ and ‘Joy to our Newborn King’.
Eric Kirkland, Barnwell
Eric Kirkland
Christmas has always been a special time of year for me. Even as a child, I remember my mother taking what little she had and making it stretch to ensure everyone got a present on that day. I could not understand why she did that as a child, but it became clear to me later on. The sharing of gifts is a metaphor that expresses acts of kindness, love, appreciation, and gratitude through friendship and support to those in your community. That is what Christmas means to me.
