Summary:  A vignette of Christmas on the trail
Rating:  G  (985 words)

Bonanza
~ *~*~ Advent Calendar ~*~*~
* Day 2 *

A Prairie Christmas
(Pipes Are Smoked and Yarn Is Spun)

The Wagon Master circled the ten wagons as the December sun hovered on the western horizon of the cold winter-swept prairie.  The train would stay here for a time to allow the people to enjoy Christmas.  For all those heading into their dreams in the west, this would be the most unique yuletide holiday they would ever experience.

Ben, with young Adam’s help, had positioned his wagon and was caring for the horses.  Inger was busy setting up their camp for the reprieve from following the sun from dawn to dusk.  She was thinking of ways to make the first Christmas special for her new husband and stepson.  She would begin julafton (Christmas Eve) with julbord (dinner) followed by the giving of small gifts (she would save other gifts for the American celebration on Christmas morning).  The advent wreath would be on the table.  She would serve fica (coffee), glogg (spiced wine), gingerbread cookies and lussekatter (saffron buns). Childhood memories of traditional Swedish Christmases danced with the new traditions she was learning with Ben and Adam.

“It will be a different Christmas this year; not having a tree and decorations,” said Ben as he unloaded furnishings from the wagon.”

“Do you have Christmas trees in Sweden?” asked Adam as he sat out chairs.

Inger replied, “Yes.  The julgran is the centerpiece of the home.  It is decorated with ornaments that reflect the history and traditions of the family. Some are very elaborate.  Some are simple. Each year, new things are added to the tree.  They are always very beautiful and very special.”

Looking at the vast expanse of prairie, there was not a single tree to be seen – just miles and miles of golden prairie grass and the ubiquitous tumbleweeds that bounced along in the evening breeze.

After dinner, lanterns lit up the circle of canvass.  The wagon master held a small Christmas Eve service, relating the Christmas story and offering prayers of thanksgiving for the safe travel so far.  They all sang carols before going back to their own camps.   By the cozy fire, Ben settled into a chair, lighting his worn and battered pipe.  He muttered as he labored to enjoy a decent draw from the thing.  Adam curled up with a book of Christmas poetry.  Inger settled into her rocker and began knitting.  She loved to knit, enjoying the way the yarn curled about the needles, turning straight thread into a lovely garment.  As her needles clicked softly she again thought about more traditional Christmases of the past.  Her vision trailed to the tumbleweeds that had lodged underneath the wagon.  A strange idea began to tease in her mind.  “Well, why not,” she thought.  “This is a time of adventure and new things.”

She moved to Adam whispering her thoughts in his ears.  He smiled at her words.  They began to pull the big, round weeds from under the wagon.  Ben was curious and soon joined in the endeavor.  Other people around the camp were also curious and, soon, the whole camp was busy.  Tumbleweeds were put together, their numerous prickly branches interlocking to form a unique tower. The women dug into their sewing and needlework bags to find bits and pieces of this and that to make baubles to ornament the tree.  Buttons, ribbon, brightly colored yarn woven into garlands of vivid hues and tied into lovely bows.  When it was finished, the diamonds of the stars of the Christmas Eve sky created a sparkling testament to the resilience of a courageous people who honored their Creator’s birth.

Christmas morning dawned bright and glorious.  Children, as children everywhere do, rushed to the “tree” to find the treasures Santa had left for them.  He did not disappoint them.  Mounds of gifts wrapped in a variety of coverings lay waiting for their eager discovery.  Amazingly, not a child was forgotten.  Every man and woman received gifts as well.  The wagon master was not forgotten.  Santa blessed the wise and good man with several tokens that bespoke the appreciation of those who dreams and lives were in his hands.

Then there was the feast.  The women worked miracles with what they had in their supplies: cakes, cookies, pies and pastries were spread on the several tables that were put end to end.  The men had been out hunting and brought in birds and rabbits and deer.  Delicious aromas drifted out over the prairie, along with the mingled laughter of all the people in the train.  The celebration lasted into the night.  More hymns and carols were sung.  To end it all they joined and raised their voices in a haunting version of “Silent Night.”

In the Cartwright camp, a satisfied silence and thankful joy covered the little family.  Ben sat in his chair, a beautiful, new hand-carved meerschaum pipe in his hand.  Sweet aroma and tobacco smoke curled from the bowl up into the heavens in a benediction of thankfulness.  How had his remarkable Inger procured such a beautiful thing?  As he watched the smoke wafting upward, he thought of his past and how it had brought him to this moment in the middle of a vast expanse of unknown land.  How remarkable his life was – and was going to be, he was sure.  He looked at the strange tumbleweed creation in the center of the camp and thought how it truly typified the spirit of the diverse people who were united for a time on a great voyage of discovery.  Yes, there had been sorrow and tears, but there had been challenge and newness.  There were surprises and blessings – and who knew what else was to come?  He smiled, drew deeply on the burning pip, and thought, indeed, this was a very Merry Christmas.

From the cover of the album, Christmas on the Ponderosa

Link to the Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar – Day 3 – The Twelve Trees of Christmas – Tavia42