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Capitol Comment
by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
A Bright and Joyful Holiday Season Across Texas
December 19, 2008
This holiday season, Texans are observing cherished traditions and creating new memories. Friends and neighbors are gathering for parties, families are preparing to host relatives or travel to see distant loved ones, and children are brimming with anticipation of presents to come. This time of year also brings a bright array of regional customs and celebrations that are unique to Texas.
During the first week of December, Galveston residents flocked to the historic landmark district to take part in a beloved annual festival, Dickens on The Strand. Each year, downtown Galveston is transformed into Victorian-era London for the weekend-long event, which features reenactments from Dickens’ novel “A Christmas Carol,” home tours, concerts, a feast, a ball, and other special events at historic sites across the island. This year marks the 35th Anniversary of Dickens on The Strand, and the 2008 celebration was particularly poignant. Just three months ago, Hurricane Ike devastated the island and badly damaged many of the historical landmarks that have been fixtures of Galveston for generations. Despite the challenges this community has faced, the festivities were as exuberant as ever and show that Galveston is well on the way to recovery.
In Austin, for more than 40 years Texans have visited the famous man-made Zilker Tree. The massive tree is 120 feet in diameter, towers 155 feet above the metropolitan park, and sparkles with 3,309 bulbs on 39 streamers strung from Austin’s historical Moonlight Tower. Zilker Park also boasts a one and a quarter mile long Trail of Lights, which includes 41 lighted scenes such as the North Pole Express, Santa’s Sleigh, 12 Days of Christmas, Home for the Holidays, and many others.
Beyond Austin, holiday lights illuminate many Central Texas communities. The Texas Hill Country Regional Christmas Lighting Trail takes visitors on a journey from Goldthwaite to New Braunfels and many towns in between. Along the way, Central Texans can see elaborately-lit historical homes, a variety of life-size manger scenes, brightly decorated town squares, and even Santa sitting atop a lighted John Deere tractor!
In East Texas, Marshall is home to one of the largest Christmas light shows in the country. Hundreds of businesses and entire neighborhoods decorate their homes around holiday themes with a collective 7 million lights. The holiday beacon that shines brightest is Marshall’s historic downtown courthouse. Known as the “Crown Jewel” of the city’s Wonderland of Lights, the courthouse alone is decorated with over 125,000 sparkling bulbs. Each year, Marshall’s world-renowned display draws more than 125,000 visitors from across Texas.
It is the tradition of many North Texans to visit the Whistle Stop Christmas display in Cleburne. Hulen Park is aglow with 3 million lights across 11 acres throughout the holiday season. Visitors can have their pictures taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy live music, and take a candlelit tour of historic area homes.
In West Texas, Santa Land has brightened the Lubbock sky for 52 years. This holiday village features a 60-foot Christmas tree, animated displays, bonfires, traditional holiday scenes, and Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Across Texas, these brilliant displays and merry celebrations fill residents with the joy of the season. But we must not let the true meaning of the holidays fade in the radiance of brightly decorated homes and communities or get lost in the flurry of festivities. Where we can experience the true wonder of the holidays is in the low-light of the advent candles, as we honor the day Baby Jesus was born in a manger 2000 years ago. The spirit of Christmas is most radiant as we sit next to our friends and families in the pews of our churches, singing Silent Night in the dimness of candlelit services. The joy of the holidays is also spread in homes and synagogues illuminated by the growing light of the menorah.
As we gather with those dearest to us to celebrate the season of hope and peace, let us also remember our men and women in uniform who are unable to be home for the holidays because of service overseas. These brave soldiers protecting our freedom may be thousands of miles away, but they are always present in our thoughts and prayers. They too are providing messages of hope and peace to future generations.
May Texans of all faiths appreciate the gifts we have been given and enjoy a festive, safe holiday season.
Kay Bailey Hutchison is the senior U.S. Senator from Texas.
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