Juddmansee.com

Christmas time is here!” On Friday evening a group from church went caroling around the neighborhood. I had been listening to carols and holiday songs in the car all week to get into the spirit, since we’ve had no snow accumulation and it feels more like April than December. Last year, we had extremely icy streets and sidewalks and sub-zero temperatures that drew us back to the warm church after only one block of singing. This year, it was about 50 degrees, so we took a longer route. We started going east down Purchase Street, over to Marlboro, and down to Goodwin Ave to see a shut-in who hosts our weekly Bible Study, then back up to the church. We gave out plates of cookies and Christmas cards as we went, receiving smiles and warm receptions at each home. I’ve been caroling for several years, and for the first time, there were no doors slammed, no residents turning off lights and hiding, no impatient hands waving “go away.” We returned to the church for a tasty potluck and fellowship before heading home. Even without traditional weather, the holiday spirit is alive and well in Newburyport.