Kick Off

We spent Thanksgiving in a little town called, Dayton,--population 

2600--nestled in the hills of Washington State. We were visiting 

Glen’s brother for the holiday. Some years ago the people of 

Dayton decided to upgrade the four blocks that mark Main Street 

along with some of the surrounding streets. They started with the 

park next to the river, added an upgrade to the Train Depot, the 

Courthouse, the old school and then built a very versatile theater. 

It houses a Musical late in the fall that always includes children, 

very talented kids. They put on Peter Pan this year to a packed 

audience for twelve programs. 

We stayed at a Victorian Hotel complete with an elegant staircase, 

beautiful rooms, a coffee shop for breakfast in the morning. On Friday 

we woke up to Christmas! It was a brisk day. At  some point on 
Thursday the whole town decorated for “Kick Off.” On Friday they 
gave tours, offered hay rides, opened the old school to visitors. 
Friday evening they celebrated with fire works! Holiday music 
was piped out including many of my favorite carols.  

Maybe it was a time for the merchants to make money, but for me 
it was the kick off to Advent and the birth of our Savior!

“The people who walk in darkness

Will see a great light;

Those who live in a dark land,

The light will shine on them.”

(Isaiah 9:2)