The day after Thanksgiving. It’s officially the Christmas season and it’s another good reason to be thankful we live in Real Texas. We still celebrate Christ-Mas in Real Texas and observing a traditional Christmas for us is a natural act. Today as I write this, I have taken the Christmas decorations out of the attic and that includes the ceramic Nativity 
Scene passed down to my wife from her mother. We’ll set it up on the Mesquite table handcrafted by Charlie Roberts. We might throw in a Happy Holidays as an afterthought, but it’s not because we are being politically correct. We’re not that sophisticated. It doesn’t occur to us to not include Christ in Christmas.
Wouldn’t be natural.
There are not too many Jewish folks out here in this part of Texas, or in fact hardly any other faith except that of Christian, and the few that I know have never begrudged anyone saying Merry Christmas or the fact that we celebrate the birth of our Savior. We don’t begrudge them their customs either. It just wouldn’t be polite. Out here, it is probable, not just possible, you will see a Nativity Scene or other Christian religious symbol displayed prominently on the courthouse square. And no one will protest. If they do, they will be ignored, Bless their hearts.
All that being said, there is plenty to do in Real Texas to get you in the holiday spirit. Out in this particular spot of the paradise of Texas, we have Christmas at old Fort Concho. There is also a fantastic decorated drive down the Concho River. Small towns up and down the highways and byways have their own community celebrations and there are lots of decorations around the towns. You’ll even see decorated scenes out in the pastures for passers-by to enjoy.
I just looked over a list a little bit and there is something in every little town and some really big productions. Schlitterbahn over in New Braunfels is not just a summer destination. They have a Texas sized Christmas production that looks great. You’d have to be a real genuine Scrooge not to get in the Christmas spirit after a visit there.
I saw Christmas celebrations scheduled in Fredericksburg, Comfort, Austin, San Angelo, Marshall, Galveston, and most points in between.
Some notable celebrations you might enjoy include the lights in Marshall, Texas; the streets of Fredricksburg, Christmas (Dickens) on the Strand in Galveston, and holidays in 
Gruene. I checked out their website and Christmas in Gruene sounds like a lot of fun. They have activities from now until Christmas and durn it, I didn’t get tickets to any of the holiday shows including a performance by Jerry Jeff on December 11. You can check the schedule and possible get your picture made with Cowboy Kringle. There are lots of activities in places like Gruene all across Texas you might enjoy.
Get out and get the Real Texas Christmas spirit.
If travel is not your thing, I bet you can find something happening right there in your own hometown. If you have a celebration to add, leave a comment.
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Our little town of Lockhart has a Dickens Christmas celebration this coming weekend with a parade on friday evening. All the shops on the square will be open late and everyone will be dressed up and having lots of fun…so just head south out of Austin on 183 come eat some good barbecue and enjoy the festivities.
Comfort just celebrated their annual “Christmas in Comfort” which is the Saturday after Thanksgiving. There are over 75 vendor booths on High and 7th Streets. The celebration culminates with a night parade through Comfort — this year there were almost 100 floats.
Ain’t small towns great!
Merry CHRISTmas indeed!!!!
David
Here in Ruidoso, NM we the festival of lights and live walk thru
Bethleham. With locals playing the charateres of the Natavity.