My Friend, Angel the Snowflake

By Barbara Juliane Cordovi

Last year, one of our more memorable events around Christmas time was an interview with Angel, the snowflake. All year I thought about that. As it started getting colder in November, I was really waiting for Angel the Snowflake's first visit this year. It happened like magic on Dec. 10. The weathermen, and women, all predicted the visit. You could tell by their serious faces and by their attire--vests and sweaters were in. It was the first snow of the winter. This first snow was truly lovely, some flakes for a while were as large as silver dollars. They fell gently to cover our area in a mantle of serenity.

When a snowflake, the largest of them all, landed on my hand, I knew it was my friend Angel. We were ready for our yearly interview and we had a lot to cover.

First we discussed the weather. Angel cannot make any predictions but there is too much talk overheard about global warming and the El Nino factor. As you all know, snowflakes need a cold climate. The thought that glaciers are melting by so many centimeters a year is a bit of a worry. To refresh your memory, this is what Angel is made of: an atmospheric vapor, frozen into ice crystals and falling to earth in light white flakes. Angel sounded serious when we started talking about the favorite subject of every weather person this year, El Nino. It has something to do, among other things, with the warming of the Pacific Ocean off California. I had read that the beautiful aquarium in Monterey usually used the ocean water, but now, at times, found it too warm for the resident fish. This month there was an El Nino summit in Santa Monica to discuss what was called "unusual weather patterns." But weather through time has been a topic for discussion, something to blame or be happy about, only now we are giving it a name, El Nino, a reference to the Christ Child, since it seems to be noticed around Christmas time in the eastern tropical Pacific.

Then Angel told me a little bit more about her visit to earth that day in our area. She had a wish and Santa Claus granted it. She was going to accompany Santa on his rounds. Of course, due to weather conditions and warm climes, she will not be able to go everywhere. She will just be in a holding pattern until Santa picks her up. Angel said she is so happy that so many people love her, especially at this time of year. She said, "A person by the name of Irving Berlin, a long time ago, wrote a song, saying: 'I'm dreaming of a white Christmas.' Can you imagine humans dreaming of me?" My whole family and I will try not to disappoint anyone, especially children and children at heart.

"Although Santa is very busy right now, he clued me in on what to expect. Different countries have different customs but Santa is used to going about in different time zones. His reindeer know every way and, if it is a very bad night, Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer might be called upon to help. Santa may even say,'snow here, slush there, Angel, what have you done? But no matter, we will get there.' With a big smile and a wave, Mrs. Santa Claus and all elves sent us on."

Over 500 years ago, in Germany on a Christmas Eve, Martin Luther walked through a snowy forest. He was in awe of the beauty he saw, pine trees glistening by moonlight. He decided to take a tree home to recreate the beauty he had seen with real candles. His neighbors admired the tree and soon everyone had one. The Christmas tree became a tradition. The lovely poinsettia plant is also a part of our Christmas. It comes from a happening a long time ago in Mexico. A poor boy went to church on Christmas Eve. He could not afford a gift for the Christ Child so he took a branch from a plant that had a large, blooming flower. The branch grew into a plant. In 1825, our ambassador to Mexico was Joel Robert Poinsett. He saw the plant and brought it home to the United States. The beautiful plant was called poinsettia and it graces many homes around this time of year.

The tradition of Christmas cards was started in England. The first cards were printed in 1843 by John Horsley. In England there is a tradition called Boxing Day, celebrated the first weekday after Christmas. People give gifts to all whose who have helped or waited on them during the year--the policeman, fireman or servant. In Europe most countries celebrate Christmas Day and the day after is a second Christmas, a full holiday. In Russia the celebration takes place 13 days later, according to the old Orthodox calendar. Santa is truly an amazing figure. He answers to many different names in different countries--Pere Noel in France, Kris Kringle in Germany. Then there is the Old Woman Befana in Italy, who brings gifts on Jan. 6.

Angel finally told me we must make another date next year. After all some time back it took 90 days to make a trip around the world.

But in one night or 90 days, what counts is the message this season sends to everyone and every religion. Peace on earth and good will to men. It means love, memories, traditions. Love thy neighbor. The look of awe as a child looks at a Christmas tree. The joy a small toy can bring. It means snowflakes turning the world into a wonderland of beauty. It means "Silent night, holy night," the one night when a miracle happened.