Along with the Model Train Display at Black River Landing, there is the International Tree Display. St. Nicholas Church has a Christmas Eve Holy Supper display, along with informative write-ups about the Nativity, the Church’s upcoming centennial anniversary, and a piece detailing how Santa Claus originated from St. Nicholas.
The Model Train Display and International Holiday Trees at the Black River Transportation Center, Black River Landing, will be open Fridays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. through Dec. 22
I can see why grown men can be so fascinated with model trains. The different cars and bridges and structures that you can buy to make a display realistic are myriad. I was mesmerized and obsessed with just trying to get that next great shot.
Every year during Circlefest, Church of the Covenant opens it’s doors and invites the public in for worship, an Advent Workshop, the Cache Resale Shop is open, and the Carillon Tower Tour and Demonstration. In the afternoon, there is a Carol Sing, with the Windsong Chorus and the CWRU Orchestra and Concert Choir.
Some photog friends made a visit to the Church earlier this year, and I wasn’t able to attend. Kristen and I added it to our ‘must visit’ list this year, and we were VERY thankful we did.
To say we were mesmerized when we walked in would be an understatement.
Or, what I’d like to call, “The Matt Dempsey Effect”. After Matt’s explanation of the technique, Kristen told me of some houses near Clearview on Broadway that I needed to see. A few nights before Christmas, we went for a drive and I broke out the tripod and tried The MD Effect. Not as slick as Matt’s but still kinda slick.
The Birth of Jesus
Luke 2:15-20
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 ([And] this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
“Little Red & Grandma” by LCJVS students Rebecca Blaylock and Olivia Knapp won First Place in the Professional Division!!
Just a few pics and such from Saturday night’s “Light Up Lorain” event.
This was an unusual Christmas for my clan for a few reasons. Business is good for my employer and my department was running. Since my kids knew everything they were getting (picked out the majority of it), and my wife wanted to travel to North Carolina to see her sister and her family, I opted to work the 3-day weekend. Holiday pay is nothing to sneeze at this time of year, cold or no cold (pun). So, after work Friday, we had Christmas Eve at Mom and Pop’s, went to C.E. Liturgy at St. Nick’s (how appropriate, right?), and then home to open gifts. Saturday while I worked, Mar and Kristen and Alainey left for North Carolina, and Sunday I worked again. When I saw that Lisa didn’t have a PhotoPhun posted last night, I thought I was off the hook, as it was a busy weekend. Getting up this a.m. to see she had something, I had to scramble to the archives. Most of these have the bokeh that Lisa mentions in her post.
This was taken 2 years ago, on Broadway; a close-up of some of the lights decorating the lamp posts downtown.
This was shot 3 years ago at Lakeview Park. Also, as Lisa mentioned, the aperture and longer exposure turn some lights into stars. Click the picture for a larger view of the animals.
This was shot 3 years ago at Crocker Park. I’d heard about the decorations and had to check’em out. They did not disappoint.
One of my all-time favorites, shot at Lakeview Park. I need to re-shoot this one as it’s a little dim.
I just shot this one the other night, sitting in my recliner, playing with the ISO and shutter on my camera. I hope to do a few posts this coming new year, some how-to’s that I’ve learned and can share. This is a 5-second exposure with the ISO set at 1600, taken of the star at the top of my Christmas tree.
A little bright for my taste, so I’ll have to try this again at a lower shutter speed.
So, there you have it!! Lisa said next week’s challenge is mine to pick, giving me the first challenge of the New Year. I had thought some over the weekend about what I could pick, and the first idea I had is what I’m going to go with, without even thinkin’ how I’m gonna do it. The January 2, 2011 PhotoPhun Challenge is going to be “Resolutions.” Find a way to photograph your 2011 New Year’s Resolutions for next Sunday!!
St. Nicholas was born around 270 AD in Patara, a small town in the province of Lycia, which is present-day Turkey. He was the only son of a rich family and was orphaned while still a boy. Even as a young man, he used his inherited wealth to help the poor.
St. Nicholas lived in the time of the persecution under Emperor Diocletian and was put in prison because he wouldn’t renounce his Christian faith. He was eventually released.
Later, when Constantine was emperor, the bishops of the province of Lycia were gathered to elect a bishop for the city of Myra. They received a message from heaven directing them to choose the first man to enter the church in the morning. It was Nicholas who did so and he was elected as bishop of Myra.
He was one of the council fathers at the first ecumenical council-the first of Nicea. He staunchly defended the true faith against the heresy of Arius. At one point during the conciliar debate he became so overwhelmed with the heresy of Arius that he got up from his place, went over and punched him in the nose. Archbishop Nicholas was expelled from the council but, a few days later, after apologizing, he was forgiven and readmitted to the council chamber. He continued as archbishop of Myra until death around 350 AD. He was about 80 years old.
St. Nicholas is remembered especially for his many miracles. Tradition tells us that he once calmed a violent storm on the open sea and prevented certain shipwreck. On another occasion he warned Emperor Constantine that three innocent officers had been unjustly sentenced to be executed. Constantine had them freed. St. Nicholas also healed many people of incurable diseases.
Possibly the most well known act of St. Nicholas is that he provided the dowry for three daughters of a poor man who was going to sell them into slavery because he couldn’t afford the dowry. It is said that on each occasion he put the needed amount of gold coins in one of his red bishop’s socks and either dropped it down the chimney or tossed it through an open window. Thus we have the custom of hanging up our stockings on Christmas Eve. We also have the tradition that Santa Claus enters a home through the chimney.
As St. Nicholas’s story went from place to place, it eventually reached the West where it took on some of the winter legends of local religious beliefs. Eventually he became the Santa Claus we know in the United States. Many of our customs and depictions of Santa Claus come directly or indirectly from St. Nicholas. For example:
As a man of some means, he would have ridden a white horse when he visited the faithful of his eparchy. When this information reached northern Europe, somehow the horse became reindeer. If St. Nicholas weren’t riding a horse, he would have been pulled in a sled by a white horse. As a bishop, he would have taken a deacon with him when he visited the poor. In Europe, the deacon was turned into an elf.
Since St. Nicolas’ day of death, December 6th, comes during the Philip Fast, the clergy would wear red vestments. Santa Claus wears a red suit. The bishops in the Western church wore pointed miters of soft cloth which would flop over. Santa Clause wears a soft pointed hat that is flopped over. Instead of the Eastern bishops’ zezl, Roman Catholic bishops carry a crozier shaped like a shepherd’s crook – or a candy cane.
So, to the question “Is there a Santa Claus?”, the answer is most definitely ‘Yes!’, and he is St. Nicholas, who stands by the side of God in Heaven and prays on our behalf.
Merry Christmas to Everyone! Thank you for all of your comments and visits!
A Special Thanks to Father Nicholas Rachford of St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church for the text of this post.
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