Thoughts on Christmas Past and Future

I love Christmas time and the opportunity to give back to others.

The most important way I give back is to share the good news of

Jesus. The birth of Jesus is the reason we celebrate Christmas. I

have several memories of childhood that always made Christmas

special! As a child I was taught it is better to give than to recieve.

I always loved Christmas shopping for others and very seldom had a

list of Christmas wants.

I remember one Christmas - when I was around ten. I saved up

my money and bought everyone a present. It always gave me

comfort to know that someone liked my present. That year for what-

ever reason I had requested a viewmaster and a suitcase. I was

very happy - I had recieved the gift I asked for !

About two to three weeks before Christmas - I would

decorate Grandma’s house for Christmas. She had this set of red

bells that lighted up and hung in the window. She had a small

artificial Christmas tree. I can remember going down time to shop

and in those days - religious music for Christmas was played outside

with speakers. It was a joyful happy time - a time when people

stopped to talk and care about each other.

I remember one Christmas as a teenager - I was in a Christmas

play. It was a very small part - but it took a lot of time and effort to

memorize my lines. The best Christmas play I was ever in - was a

play that was held outdoors at the local college by a local arts

council. I played the part of a census taker and I was to collect

taxes and names. They told us to act like we were actually taking

names and not to respond to any current day questions. It was a

great witnessing tool. One of my favorite lines was: “Have you seen

the Baby Jesus.” It was neat to hear their responses - some would

say: “Yes, that is why we have come - we have journeyed from

Newton, IL” or “We just came to see what kind of production this

was”.

Of course as a young child - I would go to bed very early. I was

hoping Santa would arrive early. Since, I went to bed early - I was

up around 3:00 a.m. - ready to open presents. I had loving parents

and a loving grandmother - they would get up and watch the opening

of presents. They always made Christmas so fun and special.

Now, that I am an older adult - I focus on the true meaning of

Christmas - the birth of Jesus and spending time with family. Sadly,

this year I won’t be able to spend Christmas with Grandma - she has

gone home to be with the Lord. I am sure grief will try to

overshadow the Christmas season - but I know she is in a better

place and is no longer suffering. I have found the best way to deal

with depression is to pray, read your Bible and find activities to get

involved in or to serve others. If you are busy helping others - you

will not have time to focus on your problems or griefs.

In years past - I have invited families who do not have anyone

to enjoy Christmas dinner with us ( my parents and I). Sometimes

we even purchased Christmas gifts for the children and clothes. It is

regretable - but most of the time I did not recieve a thank - you.

But, I did it because that is what Jesus would do and it gave me a

blessing by helping others.

As Christmas approaches - remember the reason for the season

- The Birth of Jesus! If the holidays are a time that depression is a

problem - start taking steps to make sure are busy helping others.

There are plenty of places to volunteer: a local nursing home, a local

day care center, Salvation Army or maybe a local school. Family time

is very important - the years fly by. So, it is so important to enjoy

each moment of family time. Why not make this Christmas season -

a season of love and joy and wonderful memories.