When one gets as old as dirt, one Christmas memory melts into the next. Oh sure, there are a few that forever stand out; like when I was four and my little brother Stinky woke up in the middle of the night and opened all the presents. At the time, I thought all was lost but it became one of my favorite Christmas memories.
Christmas 2005 won’t be easily forgotten. It was 4:45 am and I was sleeping peacefully when the little Mrs. shook me awake. “Honey, the boys want to open their presents.”
“Coffee...” I croaked, and tried to focus my eyes. Outside the wind was howling and the rain pounded on the roof. So much for a white Christmas.
Everyone was seated on the couch next to the Christmas tree, their eyes fixed on the shiny presents. I took a sip of my coffee and Mamma blew the starter whistle. All I could see were elbows and paper flying. Then as the last present was opened, the power went out!
Caleb couldn’t listen to his new cd’s. Joshua stared bleakly at his new video game. It would have to wait. Little Johnny freaked; his autistic mind couldn’t understand why daddy wouldn’t just fix the electricity. It was a nightmare and the day had only just begun.
Dave Jr. called to tell me that his car broke down. The good news was it happened at his sister’s house. The bad news was that he was her ride. This year it was Chrysler and not Afghanistan or Iraq that kept us all from having Christmas together. The power never did come back on, at least not that day.
I couldn’t help but think about that first Christmas two thousand years ago. Poor pregnant Mary, still aching from the long journey gave birth in a stable. It must have been a rough time for mother and child, but it was the best Christmas ever.
Happy Birthday Jesus!
Christmas 2005 won’t be easily forgotten. It was 4:45 am and I was sleeping peacefully when the little Mrs. shook me awake. “Honey, the boys want to open their presents.”
“Coffee...” I croaked, and tried to focus my eyes. Outside the wind was howling and the rain pounded on the roof. So much for a white Christmas.
Everyone was seated on the couch next to the Christmas tree, their eyes fixed on the shiny presents. I took a sip of my coffee and Mamma blew the starter whistle. All I could see were elbows and paper flying. Then as the last present was opened, the power went out!
Caleb couldn’t listen to his new cd’s. Joshua stared bleakly at his new video game. It would have to wait. Little Johnny freaked; his autistic mind couldn’t understand why daddy wouldn’t just fix the electricity. It was a nightmare and the day had only just begun.
Dave Jr. called to tell me that his car broke down. The good news was it happened at his sister’s house. The bad news was that he was her ride. This year it was Chrysler and not Afghanistan or Iraq that kept us all from having Christmas together. The power never did come back on, at least not that day.
I couldn’t help but think about that first Christmas two thousand years ago. Poor pregnant Mary, still aching from the long journey gave birth in a stable. It must have been a rough time for mother and child, but it was the best Christmas ever.
Happy Birthday Jesus!
