Wow! What a great day! Christmas!
My enthusiasm about this Christmas was boosted last weekend. I took my annual turn ringing the bell as a volunteer for Salvation Army. As I greeted shoppers with my ringing I found real joy in watching the smiles as they tossed their change, or more often dollar bills, into the familiar red bucket.
I try to spend some time every year helping that great organization. It’s part of my Christmas ritual. It’s not that I contribute a world of time. I am usually only responsible for an hour or two as part of my Rotary Club’s community service project. But that hour makes a difference. Every time any of us contribute in any meaningful way to our community we make a difference.
Even my sweet four-year-old daughter spent time ringing the bell. I noticed the contributions picked up quite a bit when she was ringing. Of course she danced whereas I didn’t.
Ellie (AKA Sweet Pea) turned four just a few days ago. On her birthday, I went upstairs to greet her as she played on the guest bed with her grandmother. I was on my way out the door to get to the clinic on time and just had a few minutes to see her.
“Happy Birthday, Precious!”
“Hey, Daddy… I’m four!” she exclaimed. Her face beamed with pride. Those few words said it all. What a wonderful event.
That is a great way to start the day!
Ellie’s anticipation of Christmas has grown steadfastly during the last few weeks. She has told me countless fascinating stories about Santa, the reindeer including Rudolph and his friend Clarice, Frosty and his friend Karen, the Grinch and innumerous other characters that all play a part in her world of Christmas.
She has also told me about the baby Jesus that we celebrate. She has learned many Bible stories and songs in her pre-K class at Middle Tennessee Christian School. I recall with joy the first day she came home from MTCS last year. She sang to me a Christian song she had learned on her first day. I thought how wonderful it is to hear her sing songs that she would be suspended from public schools for singing.
Ellie has lots of company this Christmas. Her grandpa and grandma (Steve and Beverly) have been visiting from Minnesota for a little more than a week. As if I didn’t have enough folks in my house telling me how they do it up north, Ginny’s brother Gene and his wife Lisa brought Ellie’s cousins Lexi and Derek down for the holidays.
Having a houseful of company, even if they are Yankees, makes the holidays even more fun-filled. I even managed to get some work out of my in-laws, as they volunteered to help with some projects around the house. They worked too hard in fact. I told Ginny I could not go to Minnesota again. She asked why and I explained that I am afraid they will put me to work too, and I am just too lazy to handle that.
We were very surprised to be visited by a group of beautiful carolers a few days ago. Neighbor Collier Smith escorted a band of youthful singers to the house. Their timing coincided with Ellie’s bath, so I had to retrieve her wrapped in a plush towel to bring her to the door. Of all the events leading up to Christmas this year, that group of carolers was the most precious and completely unexpected. Thank you, Collier and singers.
Santa came through with Ellie’s longed-for gifts of “a Minnie Mouse doll, an Olivia (the pig) doll with clothes, and a golden hamster without wheels”. Ginny was thrilled of course with her gifts I selected from the Tractor Supply.
Our Christmas tradition also includes a Christmas Eve candle-lighting service. Today Ginny is busy preparing another great holiday meal, and I will attempt to fry another holiday turkey without any serious injuries or property damage. We will get to see the rest of my family later today. Perhaps there will be a chance for a nap.
Merry Christmas and may God Bless! |
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