Reflections on Christmas Past

Reflections on Christmas Past

It was early in the morning the first week of December of 1955. The telephone rang incessantly until mom answered it. “Gary, it’s for you”, I heard her call. Making my way slowly out of bed and meandering downstairs at a snails pace, I took the phone and greeted my cousin Cliff who was calling, much to early in my opinion.

He asked if he could come over and, after asking my mother, I told him he could. He arrived about a half hour later and we retreated to my upstairs room. Cliff reminded me that this was a special day. It was the day we would make up our list of things we wanted for Christmas.

Now, you need to know that there was fierce competition between our mothers to see who could do the most for their children at Christmas. Cliff and I were very aware of this. Hence, each December we would get together and make a list of these things we wanted. Cliff would then go home and say, “Mom, Aunt Mae is getting Gary an Army rifle and military gas mask. I would go to my mother and similarly declare, “Mom, Aunt Dorothy is getting Cliff a Lionel Train Set and baseball bat!” The strategy never failed! Sure enough, come Christmas morning, wrapped neatly under the tree, were the gifts we were eagerly anticipating…and much more.

As I look back fondly on those days, I must admit our Christmas largesse bordered on the obscene.  To think that Dad had to pay for all those gifts!

In my adult years I tried to compete with those memories, buying and spending much more than I should have although I don’t think my children ever complained much. Neither were they as devious as my cousin and I.

Christmas places, upon parents, enormous pressures to spend beyond ones means. Many families go deep into debt trying to meet the expectations of children and other family members. Of course the season is one for gift giving, however, we all must take care not to succumb to the expectations of society. We must be reasonable in our rush to make people happy through gifting.

We also must be ever aware of our responsibility to teach our children what the season is really about! Santa, the tree and other decorations and gifts are all fine. It brings joy and a festive spirit. It is the birth of the Christ child, however, that we must not fail to focus on. When all the gifts have been opened, and all of the family visits have concluded, our families must be left with the enduring message of the Christ child whose advent has provided for our lives in eternity.

My cousin, Cliff, has since gone to Glory but if he were here today I am sure we would be laughing about our youthful days and when I get to heaven I am sure he will remind me, joyfully, of the Christmases we spent upstairs in my room carefully putting our lists together. What’s on your list this season? Think about it carefully and then celebrate the season as it should be celebrated1

Have a blessed season!

Even Squirrels Fall Out of Trees

Even Squirrels Fall Out of Trees

The other day my sister, Cheryl, was driving down a tree lined street in Charleston, South Carolina. She heard a 'thump' on the hood of her car, looked all around and saw a squirrel scurring off as fast as it could. This is very unusual isn't it? Squirrels are masters at climbing and moving about the tree tops. There are none better!

Still, these ariel 'experts' can lose their balance or footing and fall from the very trees that they are so adept at moving through. Perhaps it is bad judgement or poor eyesight, and down they come!

As my sister told me this story, I thought of all the experts in the world...experts on climate change, experts on evolution, experts on human life and the human condition. Could it be that sometimes they just demonstrate poor judgement, eyesight or balance? Maybe sometimes they just get it wrong? I think they do it more often than they would admit.

So, the next time you hear some expert on the radio, TV, or read of their ideas in the newspaper, remember...even squirrels fall out of trees!

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

Proverbs 3:5,6

Stories from '515'

'A SOUR EXPERIENCE'

When Little Ronnie and his cousin were just seven years old, they walked into the old fashioned, if not antiquated drug store across the street from the family homestead at 515 West Colvin Street. After entering, and climbing up on a stool, they asked the soda jerk for a lemonade. Taking one slurp of the rather tart concoction they made a face at each other and left the premises.

Crossing the street and heading home they thought to themselves, 'what a terrible lemonade'! Giving this some thought they mused, 'let's open a lemonade stand on the corner." "If we do a good enough job, people will buy all of their lemonade from us and not the drugstore". So, they set about their new found project with much excitement and anticipation. Now, understand: It was their full intention to put the drug store out of business.

Once open, they waved aggressively at every car passing by (as boys would do), and they sold an acceptable amount of lemonade. When the weekend came to an end, they closed up their lemonade stand; headed back inside '515', as we called it, and counted what was a fair amount of money for such a modest effort.

The next morning, when they rose from sleep, they anxiously looked across the street. Much to their disappointment the drug store was still open for business! As the story goes, they never opened another lemonade stand!

So what is the moral to the story?

Don't be afraid to dream.
Don't be afraid to act on those dreams.
Don't let failure stop you from dreaming again.

2 Chronicles 15:7 "But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded."

Thanks to Syracuse!

It was my pleasure to preach at The Salvation Army Syracuse Citadel in Syracuse, New York today. It was a real blessing having fellowship with Majors John and Anita Stewart, Pastors, and all of their people. What a wonderful choir they have! It is a real treat to hear such accomplished vocalists. Their keyboard artist and guitarist are also exceptional. Blessings on all and I hope to be invited again soon.

Preaching in Syracuse, NY on Sunday

If you live in the Syracuse, NY area, join me at The Salvation Army (Citadel), 749 Warren Street on Sunday at 10:30AM. I will be preaching on "The Jericho Principles".