NSBNEWS.net video by Sera Frederick.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- About 200 people braved the cold Friday night to attend the inaugural tree lighting ceremony at the easten-most end of Canal Street. The nearly $9,000 artificial tree, promoted by city officials as a catalyst to attract shoppers to "downtown" was lit (plugged in) shortly after 6 p.m. during a minus-10 countdown led by Mayor Adam Barringer, who was introduced by City Commissioner Jim Hathaway.
A horse-drawn carriage was the highlight of the festivities and just like that, after 5 minutes of picture taking, everyone went home. "That part was disappointing," the mayor said of the quick fizzle. "They probably should have had more planned for the event."
Barringer did give a mini speech, which follows:
Throughout the world people are looking for real Christmas, the Christmas we remember from our childhood, the nostalgic memories, which seem to be lost in our stressful society. Christmas is the last of the great festivals still with us - because of the feelings of nostalgia it brings, not because of the amount of money we spend.
Already too many people grumble that Christmas is 'too expensive', which defeats the whole secure warm feelings which the season will, if we allow it to, impart. We all know that the true meaning of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Christ. Who is a symbol of love, light, hope and peace that makes this such a joyful season.
However, even among the believers, there are some for which this message is not enough to overcome the reality of life's challenges. That is why it is so important for all of us to embrace the true meaning of Christmas. In order to embrace the true Christmas spirit we must be willing to give. Give of ourselves, our time and our love, and give of our worldly possessions.
Do not think of the gifts that we give to others as an obligation or duty, but as a symbol of our love for them. While no gift can accurately reflect the love we feel for those who are near and dear to us, we can show them that they matter by spending time and thought to create or select a gift with meaning.
I hope the lighting of this Christmas Tree will invoke in each of us the true spirit of Christmas… giving and the nostalgia and homeliness of a time honored tradition. This is a celebrated holiday around the world to remind us of what it is really all about, and might just give a few hints on how we can achieve the magic we embraced in our childhood.