Christmas with Harry

Dec 29, 2008

Posted by: John Admin

Uncategorized

This year, I spent Christmas with Harry. Last year was my first Christmas after reading Harry. But this year was different. This year, my Christmas was fully intertwined with Harry Potter. My family thought it pretty strange that over half my Christmas list contained Harry Potter books or items. (Only 1 member of my family reads Harry, which is my cousin, so they don’t really understand.)

Then I got Jingle Spells 2, and it was my official soundtrack this year. I listened to 2 other Christmas CD’s before I got Jingle Spells, but since then, it has been the only one I˜ve heard. Even though it’s after Christmas now, I still can’t stop listening to it! It’s wonderful!

There was the Harry Potter weekend on ABC Family which I always watch. Also, my gift to myself this year was the collector’s edition of The Tales of Beetle the Bard, which was also wonderful!

Then, there was the reading of Harry and looking in on all his Christmases. I was thinking of them and trying to decide which one was my favorite. My mind always goes to the Christmas in the last book. The cute, small, snow covered town. Seeing the church, all lit up and warm inside, carols being heard from within. I believe Godric’s Hollow would be a beautiful sight to behold on Christmas Eve.

My favorite Christmas tradition is to go to the candlelight Christmas Eve service at a local church. I go by myself, every year, and it’s my favorite thing. If I could do only one thing on Christmas, this would be it.

This year, and last year, as I left the church, the image of Harry and Hermione in Godric’s Hollow came to me. It seemed to me, that with the hustle and bustle of Christmas Eve, Harry and Hermione were all but forgotten by the muggles in Godric’s Hollow. We are focused on them, of course, and their mission, but it feels like they are all alone in that little town, which I˜m sure Harry was grateful for, especially when he sees his parent˜s grave.

I too seek out solidarity in the midst of Christmas. With everything going on, endless parties, the non-stop sea of people, the general rush of the season, it’s extremely refreshing for me to have time alone, or with God, in the middle of it all. It helps me to regain my focus, and remember what I’m celebrating.

In re-reading the Godric’s Hollow chapter, I came across another similarity with my Christmas Eve and Harry and Hermione’s. “¦looking down at the thick snow hiding from his eyes the place where the last of Lilly and James lay¦his heart still beating, alive because of their sacrifice¦”

I, as well, think of my Father on Christmas Eve, and his sacrifice, the reason I, as well, am alive. Tears stung in my eyes too as I thought of this.

So, in a way, I felt like I was with Harry on Christmas Eve. Walking alone with him, not in Godric’s Hollow, but under the same stars. Watching them twinkle and thinking of our parents and their sacrifice.

I love Harry and Hermione’s friendship and this very special time that they got to spend together on that Christmas Eve. It’s one of my favorite scenes, and therefore this is one of my favorite lines, and always puts a huge smile on my face every time I read it. I imagine our walk, mine and Harry’s, would not be so different on that silent but snowy Christmas Eve.

“He put his arm around Hermione’s shoulders, and she put hers around his waist, and they turned in silence and walked away through the snow”

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From Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, Chapter 16: Godrics’ Hollow





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