Sharing the Christmas Spirit

Early last week I was on the doorstep of Hedberg Library (in Janesville) before 9:00 am waiting for it to open that I might check out the book Stanley Weintraub wrote, “Silent Night: The Story of the World War I Christmas Service”.  Sunday's sermon was going to include the story of peace in the midst of this war and the singing of the well-known hymn, Silent Night by the opposing soldiers.   

As I waited, I said hello to a young man sitting on the bench by the library doors.  He said hi and then came over to introduce himself.  His name was Charles; I noticed he had some difficulty in talking, his hands and arms moved in jerky motions, but he had a nice smile and seemed pleased I had noticed him.  

After he had introduced himself he reached into his pocket and pulled out a picture of Jesus Christ.  He told me about the church he goes to – the one on the hill.  He told me of how nice it is and how nice the people are.  I mentioned briefly that we will be celebrating Jesus’ birthday soon and he replied, “I know!” (very excitedly).  It was a pleasant chat and I enjoyed getting to know him just a little bit.  As he went inside the library I heard one of the ladies behind the library desk say, “Good morning Charles.  How can I help you today?”  Obviously a regular visitor.  It’s wonderful, the opportunities we have, to get to know someone when we say hi.

Memories

What memories are we making and keeping? 

It is so tempting to keep hold of the memories which can keep us awake at night or in a constant state of stressful tension...





The disagreement I had with my friend;
    A comment one of the church members made to me; 
        The next door neighbor who slighted me;  
            The disappointing situation at work;  
                My daughter never calls me;  
                    My recent diagnosis…
                        our list goes on and on. 

But those are the memories that can weigh us down.  Make our shoulders slump in weariness and cause creases in our faces – worry lines.  They make us tired and we feel like we are carrying a burden that grows heavier by the day.  If we keep hold of these memories, we’ll find that we run the risk of growing bitter and angry, sad and depressed.  One day we’ll wake up, perhaps towards the end of our time here, and realize that we have wasted much of the time God has given us. 

Instead I propose that we work hard to build and keep the kind of memories that will make us smile and maybe laugh to ourselves.  You know those memories.  They cross your mind when you are washing the dishes, warm soapy water running over your hands – and you smile.  You are walking down the grocery aisle and you remember a special moment as the overhead speakers’ pipe out a particular song.  You are driving around a curvy, country road and cresting a hill you see a familiar homestead that brings back wondrous memories. 

A name of a dear friend is brought up in conversation and you remember how that person cared for you at just the right moment, in just the right way. You recall, perhaps with a tear in your eye – a happy tear as my daughter calls them – playing with your children as they were growing up, seeing them off to school for the first time, or reading stories to your grandchildren.


Memories are a gift from God, not to be wasted nor squandered on that which weighs us down, but cherished and prized, as are all gifts from God. 

As Christmas approaches, we recall the most precious gift of all that God has given – his son Jesus.  Let these fond memories of our friends, our family, our special times and most especially Christ’s birth lift us up.