In a clearing on the side of a mountain sits a little village, with a church in the center surrounded by houses and cottages and barns. Warm lights shine from the windows and colored lights spangle two of the bare winter trees. In front of the church in the middle sits a bright Nativity scene and the village Christmas tree, as the lights within the church send the stained glass patterns streaming out in jeweled colors on the snow. Nearby a family of snowmen are toasting marshmallows over a bonfire.

As a solitary traveler nears his destination the bright lights of the mountain village welcome him to a cozy home.

Some little sprite has made itself a cozy home in the trunk of this tree, and has lit it up in honor of Christmas.

Anyone up for ice skating?

A winter night in the Glen of the Twins.

“To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Luke 1:77-79

I started out with a snowflake ornament, and intended this picture to celebrate the first day of winter, but I decided the star looked better. I think it was still appropriate, to celebrate the Light of the world on the longest night of the year. And that year it was also the new moon, so it was the darkest night as well!

“Silent Night! Holy Night!
All is calm, all is bright
'Round yon virgin mother and Child,
Holy infant so tender and mild.
Sleep in heavenly peace,
sleep in heavenly peace.”

This is a Christmas version of Wind in the Pines. It was inspired by a visit to my grandfather's timber farm, which is why the pines are in rows. It's almost like being out in the forest, just a little more orderly!

“When we are born, we cry that we are come
To this great stage of fools”
—King Lear

I had been to an opera, and one of the acts opened with these multicolored spotlights and three lanterns. I decided to recreate a scene like that for April Fool's Day, and the colors made me think of a harlequin or jester's motley costume.