December 6, 2014

As the holiday approaches, I am drawn back to Christmas  1918 on the old Calendar, the Romanovs celebrated later,their December  24th-25th was the new calendar's  January 6-7th l918. The family was imprisoned in the Governor's House in Tobolsk, Siberia and had no way to know that this would be their last Christmas and the New Year 1918 would end for them in another newly appointed prison, the Ipatiev Mansion - in the most brutal deaths imaginable. The Tsarina Alexandra who often appeared so melancholic actually rose to the occasion in a selfless and caring way. Instead of bemoaning the splendor of Christmas Past, she devoted herself and the Grand Duchesses to making handmade gifts for everyone, including the retinue and soldiers.Here are some writings from that final holiday from the family  and the Tsarina had the last and warming words:  
artwork Siberia depicts the last Christmas

artwork Siberia depicts the last Christmas

 
 
Alexandra described their Siberian Christmas in her diary: 'December 24. Sunday. Tobolsk. Christmas Eve. Preparing gifts. Breakfast downstairs. Decorated Christmas tree, laid out the gifts. Tea. Then I went to the guards from the 4th Infantry Regiment, all together 20 people'.
 
'I brought them a small Christmas tree and some food, and a Bible each with a bookmark that I drew. Sat there with them. 7.30 pm. Had  dinner downstairs with everyone. 9 pm Christmas celebration for our servants - for all our people.
 
'9.30 pm. Evening service at the church: a large choir sang. Soldiers came as well.'
 
Though seen by many as an architect of the Romanov downfall, the German-born empress did her best to support the family in the difficult times and bring the Christmas spirit into the family celebration. Perhaps thanks to her effort Romanov family enjoyed their last Christmas.
 
In a letter to her lady in waiting Sophia Karlovna Buxhoeveden, the former tsarina wrote that love, hope and patience were her guides through the difficulties.
 
'Gently kiss you and wish you all the best. May God send you health and peace of mind, which is the greatest gift. We should pray to God for patience, because it is so important for us in this world of suffering (and the greatest madness), for comfort, strength and happiness.
 
'Perhaps the word 'joyful Christmas' sounds like a joke now, but after all this joy of the birth of our Lord. .... He will manifest His mercy when the time comes, and before that we have to wait patiently. We cannot change what is happening - we can only believe , believe and pray and never lose love for Him.'