Christmas time at Cape Coral is an exciting and wonderful time of the year. Looking around our bustling community with hundreds of beautifully decorated homes, twinkling lights and landscaped parkways, it is difficult to realize this was a wilderness five years ago, and that Christmas of 1958 was observed only by a handful of people in rather bleak and desolate surroundings…

… Next Christmas should bring even bigger changes. Visualize our luxurious Yacht and Racquet Club surrounded by the Caloosahatchee River and Yacht Basin, sparkling with Christmas lights and decorations. Cape Coral is truly a fabulous place, and it gains new beauty each passing day. All who have had a part in making this beautiful community what it is today and will be tomorrow should gain renewed joy this Holiday Season. The Cape Coral Breeze is proud to be a part of this community and happy to have an opportunity to wish one and all a most joyous Holiday Season and every good fortune during the coming year.”

–Cape Coral Breeze

Dec. 21, 1961

Six decades after the Cape Coral Breeze ran its first Christmas editorial prominently on the front page of only its second edition, we continue to herald many of the same things — the array of decorations adorning homes, businesses and landscaped parkways; the promise of a new and exciting project at the Cape Coral Yacht Club; and all of the people who continue to help make the Cape a great place to live, raise a family and grow a business.

Wishing our community a happy holiday season is a Breeze tradition with deep roots although our message through the years has been as varied as the way we all choose to celebrate — Christmas, yes, but also Hanukkah; attending the Cape Coral Festival of Lights with its “snow” slide, tree lighting and Santa; giving to those in need and, of course, the religious story behind the Christian holiday itself and its message of hope.

Let us dip again into The Breeze archives and share not only our first Christmas editorial above but one we have turned to when the message is especially appropriate:

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.

Luke 2:1-14

Peace.

Good will.

Sacrifice.

And hope.

Always hope.

As we mark our 60th anniversary this month, the Cape Coral Breeze is still and always proud to be a part of this community and happy to have an opportunity to wish one and all a most joyous Holiday Season and every good fortune during the coming year.

— Breeze editorial

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