Wrapped in swaddling clothes

Tom Reeves was a big, blustery man.

Six-foot-seven, bald, with some remaining wisps of graying red hair on the sides of his head, he wore cowboy boots and kept two silver dollars in his pocket. The coins were so worn, over time, they had become two smooth disks, with no visible inscription.

In 1995, Reeves brought me to New Mexico. He was publisher of the Alamogordo Daily News, and he hired me to come out from Arkansas and be his editor.

Like me, he grew up in Oklahoma, and like him, I would grow to love New Mexico.

Reeves introduced me to the term “alpenglow.” This is the fleeting phenomenon of pinkish/purplish light reflecting from the sunset onto mountains in the east. In Alamogordo, it happens on the Sacramentos; in Las Cruces, it happens on the Organs. When conditions are right, this glow is breathtaking. Even at its best, though, the alpenglow only lasts about 100 seconds, perhaps a divine metaphor for enjoying and appreciating the beautiful things we have while we have them.

I learned a lot from Reeves, a longtime newspaperman who, over the course of his career, edited, published and owned newspapers in Oklahoma, California, New Mexico and Colorado.

One tradition he long held was publishing a different type of editorial on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. On Christmas Eve, he would run Clement C. Moore’s “A Visit from St. Nicholas.” On Christmas Day, he would run the Biblical passage from Luke 2, the story of the first Christmas.

Where possible, I have maintained Reeves’ tradition, but at a weekly newspaper, timing doesn’t always cooperate. This is only the second time in my 10 years with the Bulletin our Friday publish date falls on Dec. 25. So, without further ado …

Luke 2: 1-14

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.