CHRISTMAS EVE we attended two candle light services. Afterwards, we blew out the candles and sang Happy Birthday to Jesus. We read a little story which told of the journey to Bethlehem and the birth of Jesus, our Savior. We ate small sandwiches and lots of other good stuff with a chocolate cake for dessert; Jesus' birthday cake! We opened presents, as though it was Christmas morn. A night of love for each other and we felt the love coming down from above.
ON CHRISTMAS DAY we opened stocking stuffer's, shared in a wonderful meal of primerib and enjoyed the kind of family day that only comes on Christmas. We took naps and later on went to a Catholic Eucharist which is the Holy Communion where Danny plays and leads the Saturday worship in music. Adam worked which has begun a new chapter in our lives. Can't always plan on the whole family coming together on Christmas day!
JIM AND I completed this years 12 Days of Christmas and felt blessed to have been able to visit with at least 13, which included 3 of our own family. We began doing what we call 12 Days of Christmas in 1995. We stopped right after we moved when we retired in 2001 and started up again in 2007. I love visiting ahd hearing about all these people who were once young and full of vigor of youth. We don't call on the elderly only, but they are the ones who need to be called on the most.
THERE ARE many programs that require a sacrifice of time, money and self. I read about these and often wondered where I would fit in. I fit in the church! The church has needs! It needs the tithe of it's members to operate in the black. It needs your time to fill in all the nooks and crannies of the family. It needs caring people who are willing to offer comfort, food and support wherever needed. It never fails that around Christmas, these things are most in need.
GIFTS are not the real meaning of Christmas; food is not the real meaning of Christmas; shopping is not the real meaning of Christmas. The real meaning is "Love came down" and the needs of the people are far more important than any of the things we think we must get done. I discovered a little song written by Estelle Levin and Lee Pockriss. Let's see if you remember it!
"KATHY got a dolly that cries and blinks its eyes; Jimmy got an automatic plane that really flies. But we were poor that Christmas, so Momma stayed up all night long. Sitting in the kitchen making us a present; it was this song." (Verse 1)
(Chorus) "CHURCH bells ring-a-ling, angels sing-a-ling; Happy Birthday, Jesus. Snow flakes ting-a-ling, sleigh bells jing-a-ling; Happy Birthday Jesus. All year long we wait just to celebrate this Christmas morn. 'Cause we want You to know we're so glad you were born. Oh, have a very, merry happy birthday Jesus.
"TEDDY bears get broken, and trains will rust away; All the fancy playthings seem to fall apart one day. But I was very lucky, when everybody's gift was gone, I still had my present; Momma's song of Christmas, lived on and on." (verse 2)
"CHRISTMAS is for children, and now I have my own; Their eyes are full of wonder when all the toys are shown. But I'll give them something better than anything that's on TV. Something very special, something made forever, this melody; (verse 3) Chorus: CHURCH bells ring-a-ling, angels sing-a-ling; Happy Birthday Jesus. Snow flakes ting-a-ling, sleight bells, jing-a-ling; Happy Birthday Jesus. All year long we wait just to celebrate this Christmas morn. 'Cause we want You to know we're so glad you were born. Oh, have a very, merry Happy Birthday, Jesus."
I TRUST your Christmas celebration included the baby Jesus being born; I pray that you do not keep Him in the manger. He grew into a man who went about doing good so that you would learn how to follow Him to the cross. Jesus said to all; "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23 By Jane Ann Crenshaw 12/22/10
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