December in Waimea is like no other place on earth. The soaring mountain peaks of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa become laden with snow, while tall stands of stately Norfolk pines compete with weather worn eucalyptus trees to contain the dark green rain forest high above our vivid green pastures which cascade around lovely Hoku’ula.
Folks are bustling around now, with Christmas gifts in bright bags and boxes, but in Waimea it is slightly different. Almost without exception, shoppers here emerge from the store, and stop to look up at the lovely hills or towering, snow capped Mauna Kea.
This time of year we gather the large pine cones scattered under the evergreens to use as decorations and fire starters. Mothers and daughters are gathering in happy gaggles to make fresh Christmas wreaths, festooned with ohelo berries, native mistletoe, pukiawe and uluhe ferns. These beautiful wreaths announce to all that the giving season has arrived!
Our village is dressed for the season with holiday lights and garish, front-yard, cartoonish, statuary as the shivery winter weather brings color to the cheeks of the shoppers and steamy breaths to the roadside joggers. The truckers hold their brassy Christmas parade, holiday plans have been made, the schools will soon let out, and with tears of joy Waimea’s far-flung progeny will soon return to our little village nestled in the hills.
For Christians this is a season of love amid the shortest and darkest days of the year. By mid-December the sky will be moonlit, but our little community will not slumber under just the light of the moon and stars. On two great, old pine trees growing high above our tallest buildings, Christmas lights will sparkle for everyone to see. We will be reminded that love sparkles in the darkness of eternity like the brilliant stars so high above, and the happy Christmas lights woven into the living branches of our great, natural Christmas trees.
This year we are grateful for you and the privilege of sharing in your lives. In the end, without you Waimea is just a beautiful place. Think about those great big pine trees standing in the wind without lights. Think about the great vault of the night sky above us without stars. Let the lights of Christmas be symbols of your love for one another this December. Let the light of the stars be symbols of your love for our Island home all year long.
