A modern day Bedford Falls

Tonight was the 74th Annual Starlighting here in Castle Rock. For those who are as math-impaired as I, that means the star was built and lit for the first time in 1936, as a boon to the struggling locals whose spirits were dragging from the Depression. It's a huge affair--they block off the streets downtown and have booths set up, the firehouse holds a chili dinner fundraiser, one of the churches sets up a live nativity, and there are horse-drawn carriage rides. It was absolutely packed--someone we talked to said this was the biggest turnout they'd had in a few years. I'm sure it helped that the night was beautiful--more like mid-October than almost-late-November.

At about 5PM they started the program in front of the courthouse. They started with the pledge and the National Anthem--who does that anymore?! It was wonderful! Then a local pastor prayed, and it wasn't some nebulous, PC-thing either, it was all about Jesus. Then, after a couple quick speeches and some carolers, someone read the Starlighting Poem, written by a Denver poet in 1966:

The Star of Castle Rock

by Helen Lowrie Marshall

Long years ago in Bethlehem
A star shone brilliant bright
Above the place where Christ was born
On that first Christmas night.

And Wisemen, following its gleam,
Came traveling from afar
To see the miracle that lay
Beneath that glorious star.

Tonight, we light our Christmas star
In memory of that birth,
Proclaiming to the world our wish
For peace, good will on earth.

A star whose radiant glow reveals
The close, encircling ties
That bind the hearts of all whose hands
Have placed it in the skies.

A beacon light whose beams reach out
To lift the hearts of men,
That they may sense the wonder
Of His coming once again.

That travelers by earth and sky
Who journey through the night
May feel the warmth and peace and cheer
Reflected in its light.

For now-as-then-the star proclaims
A miracle sublime
The miracle of love reborn
Each blessed Christmas-time.

And, as the Star of Bethlehem
Declared the Savior's birth-
May this-the Star of Castle Rock
Shine forth for Peace on Earth.

At 5:30 Santa came up to the stage to flip the switch, and we all counted down together and cheered like maniacs when the star began to shine. Then some more Christmas carols were sung as people began to shuffle on their way. We hight-tailed it out in the hopes of scoring a table at a restaurant on the other "non-historic" downtown area, but we weren't quite quick enough, so Chick-Fil-A was Plan B.

The girls did really well, given there wasn't a lot for them to do. We brought our big jogging stroller since we knew we'd have to hike from wherever we found parking--the festivities started at 1 but we didn't go down until 4:30--and Abby lasted in there for quite a while, though PJ had had enough after about 20 minutes. I'm looking forward to turning this into a Morrow family tradition in the years to come; it's such a great way to kick off the holiday season. Dan's even got Christmas music on downstairs.

This is the kind of experience I've always wanted: the small town style celebration of traditions that have spanned decades and hold a special place in the community's collective memory. I'm so happy to be living here.