The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: ellis4538 on December 16, 2009, 03:28:19 PM
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Got this as an e-mail and decided it is worth sharing......
The “W" in Christmas
Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience.
I had cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending.
Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.
My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six year old.
For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school’s Winter Pageant.
I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production, unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his Teacher, she assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation.
All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then.
Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.
So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats.
As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.
Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer.
So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title.
Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads.
Those in the front row- center stage - held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song.
As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each
child holding up his portion had presented the complete message,” Christmas Love."
The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down - totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a “W".
The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W".
Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together.
A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen.
In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities.
For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:
"C H R I S T W A S L O V E"
And, I believe, He still is.
Amazed in His presence....humbled by His love.
HAVE A BLESSED HOLIDAY SEASON
Richard
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Thanks for that one, Richard.....and Merry Christmas to you (and every one) too. :)
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Dang, I wish I knew why my 'allergies' :'( were kicking up so much this Christmas Season. Sometimes there's truth in mistakes ;D Thanks for the great story
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Sad part about it is, that we get it right by accident more often than not. Those who "know" what God wants (pick your flavor) are not to be trusted. A young child making a "mistake", well, there is truth in that. Thanks for the post. It was definately a Holiday pick me up.
FQ13
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Hmmm. I think I mustagot sumthin in my eye... Thanks for the CHRISTmas message. And Merry CHRISTmas to all as we reflect on the reason for the season.
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That was real good! :)
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One of the joys of having a 3-1/2 year old grand-daughter living with me at this time of year is that I get to experience the joy and wonder of Christmas through her eyes. OK, she has this love/hate thing with Santa Claus (she doesn't like guys with beards), but he is secondary. She's big on Rudolph though.
She has a small play set that is the Nativity made of Little People (not midgets, it's a brand line) and she is very interested in the Baby Jesus, and his Mommy and Daddy. I read her the Nativity story all of the time and she wants to know who everyone is, even the Wise Men, and wonders where the baby donkey's Mommy is (she's got this thing for babies making sure they have their mommies nearby). She looks with joy at the Christmas tree, and wonders why there aren't any presents under it yet. She has been watching all of the Charlie Brown, Mickey Mouse and other Christmas stories, and then tells us about them..
God tells us wonderful things through children if we are quiet enough to listen to them.
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God tells us wonderful things through children if we are quiet enough to listen to them.
+1 Absolutely
Thanks for the post Richard.
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Thanks for the post, it was definitely needed. I had been in the process of blowing a gasket due to errors on my credit card statement. (Don't mind to drop some dough for Christmas, but I like to be the one spending my money.) >:( Your story put everything in perspective and gave me back the peace I had temporarily traded for rage.
Swoop
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To All,
I am blessed to have friends send me these things and blessed to have friends to pass them on to!
God Bless,
Richard