Oh, Christmas Tree!!

Inside Story

We originally wrote this article in 2008. At that time our daughter lived in Fairbanks, Alaska. So, some of the statements in the following paragraphs by Joanne are no longer accurate. Our daughter doesn’t live in Fairbanks now.

The web camera hosted by the local newspaper is still there, but they no longer put up a Christmas tree. Also, they no longer have a way for viewers to write comments. So, the social group Joanne mentions below no longer exists. But back then, here’s what was happening.

~Jan

Joanne wrote in 2008:

We are frequent visitors to the  Arctic Web Cam web site, hosted by the Daily News Miner, a newspaper in Fairbanks, Alaska. We live in Minnesota, but our daughter lives in Fairbanks. Viewing this web cam shows us what the weather is like where our daughter is.

But the ArcticCam web site has become more than that. A social network has formed among the”camsters” who post comments regularly on the web site. We feel as though we know each other, and enjoy reading what’s going on with those who write regularly.

Earlier in December, staff members from the News Miner put up a Christmas tree in the parking lot that we camsters can see. Everyone loved it, and our daughter went over and shot the photos you see below.

I asked my daughter who has lived in Fairbanks for a year and a half now if she would go down to the NewsMiner parking lot and take some photos of the tree from “ground level”.

Here you see our beloved Christmas tree in all its glory, nicely roped off by ribbons so that no one will run their car into it. You also get a nice view of the garland along the guard rail.

The photo above is a little ‘arty’…this happened when Jenni accidentally dropped her camera in the snow.  She saw that the lens had snow on it, but being the artist that she is, she decided to try shooting the picture through the snow to see what would happen. Nice effect, don’t you think?


Jan writes in December 2018:

But as we know, Christmas is so much more than nicely decorated evergreen trees
The Shepherds and the Angels
Luke 2:8~20

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Luke 2:8~20
And, as someone has said:

“Wise men seek Him still!”

A Blessed Christmas to all!!

Joanne MN

 
 

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{ 16 comments… add one }
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  • Virginia 01/12/2009, 3:46 PM

    The tree is beautiful. It was so nice of them to add the snow at the bottom, don’t you think.:)
    Thank you for the pictures!

    Reply Link
  • Texan 12/20/2008, 6:44 AM

    Thanks for the lovely pictures. Do hope that
    your camera wasn’t ruined even if it being in
    the snow did make a beautiful picture.

    Reply Link
  • Jeanne 12/20/2008, 2:05 AM

    Thanks again, your daughter took such beautiful pictures of the tree. It’s so pretty. I’m also curious about what’s on the top of the tree. It looks pink. The “artsy” picture is lovely.

    Reply Link
  • Sally Simard 12/19/2008, 11:56 PM

    Thanks for the close-up picture of the Christmas tree. It sure was nice of you to take the pictures and share them with us. My 2 sons live in Fairbanks and I must tell them to stop by and see the tree and bring the Grandkids. Mike owns “Simard Automotive” and his brother Robert works for him . Just got a call from my daughter-in-law as I’m writing this and told her to drive by the N.M. to see the tree.

    Reply Link
  • Pat 12/19/2008, 2:21 PM

    Thank you and God Bless you and keep you all warm. The tree does look better from ground level. The girls at the DNM did a really nice job.

    Reply Link
  • Nancy Keller-Bonde 12/19/2008, 1:31 PM

    How terrific of you to do this for us cammers. The tree is lovely. What on the top? I couldn’t make it out. Probably my eyes. Thanks for taking these for us!

    Reply Link
  • Virginia 12/19/2008, 1:49 AM

    Joanne– another “Thank You” for thinking of us.
    Please again thank your daughter for me also,what a
    great job she did.Have a wonderful Christmas and be safe. I have been coming to the DNM site for two years and enjoy everyone who visits.
    Again My Thanks and God Bless

    Reply Link
  • Jo Ann 12/19/2008, 12:38 AM

    Joanne, the pictures are breathtaking! The little tree is like a hug to everyone from Fairbanks. Please thank your daughter. We don’t ever see anything prettier than that here in Florida! God bless & Merry Christmas!

    Reply Link
  • Kay " rocknroll " Craig 12/18/2008, 10:30 PM

    Thank you for the beautiful pictures of our little tree. You must drop your camera in the snow more often as the effect is magic. Have a blessed Christmas.

    Reply Link
  • Joanne 12/18/2008, 9:56 PM

    Thanks, Lisa! We’ll be watching for you! joanne

    Reply Link
  • Lisa Christianson 12/18/2008, 8:34 PM

    Joanne, please thank you daughter for me, I love the pics!! I live here in Mn, but miss home!!!!!!! If you are in the Metro and see a black Sierra with an Alaska plate in the back window, thats me!!!!!! Many blessings to you and your family! Merry Christmas.

    Lisa

    Reply Link