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High-rise spirits Our first Christmas in Boston was in 1995 - and it was a test. We came here for the month of December to determine whether we wanted to relocate after 14 years in a sleepy German village. We stayed in an apartment in the city, and both our adult sons joined us for the holidays, the younger one from Florida and the older one and his wife from Germany. On Dec. 24, the day when the tree is put up in German homes, my husband and I secretly decorated a small, living tree we had hidden on the balcony. To the kids we said, "Well, too bad that Christmas Eve is not celebrated very much here, but maybe we can just walk down Newbury Street and look at the lights and the store decorations and have lunch somewhere." A light snowfall the night before had added to the already festive atmosphere. When we were near the Prudential Tower, my husband wondered aloud about the view from up there. We all decided to go up to the Skywalk and see it. Although still very early in the afternoon, lights were blinking and shining everywhere. Being so high above the world below elevated our spirits to the point where feelings of almost angelic lightness set in. It was difficult to leave. Thus, the surprise was perfect: Lunch was going to be in the restaurant right there. I had reserved a table by the window, where we continued to enjoy the splendid view while savoring the delightful food and the convivial ambience. In the golden glow of the setting sun, we walked back to our apartment. My husband had quickly gone ahead and moved our small tree out of its hiding place to the center of the large picture window. When we arrived, there was the Christmas tree. Beautifully decorated with bright red bows and tiny white lights, it greeted us from the snow-covered balcony. It was wonderful, yet so normal. After all, this was Christmas Eve. DORIS HAAS Boston

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