At the time, as a child, it was magical. I heard about Santa and having older brothers I quickly learned that my parents were the reason we had gifts. Never-the-less, it was a real magical experience. The tree was decorated and my mother loved to hang many lights on the house. I think that she dressed up the occasion because it was here favorite season as well.
There were several reasons and right-of-passage experiences that made this holiday so special.
1. It was all about the gift. I know that may sound selfish. I can remember circling every item I wanted in the Sears catalog. I loved the food and decorations but it was the gifts under the tree that made it special for me. My sister, Robin always woke us up around 2 AM. We could hardly wait to open the gifts. My parents worked so hard to provide for our happiness but we were merciless on Christmas morning. We tried to be quiet but the excitement got the best of us.
2. The BB Gun. When anyone turned twelve years old we could expect to find a BB Gun under the tree. The year that it was my official birth year, I anticipated my own right-of-passage. There it was, a shiny new BB Gun just for me. I could hardly wait to load it and begin to hit my targets. It is funny that today I don't own a weapon but at 11-years old, it was what marked manhood. I learned to shoot my father's 22-calibar rifle and 357 handgun when I was five but getting my own BB Gun rifle meant that I finally was becoming a man.
3. Oh the aroma. Space around the table was limited but the food was plenty. Our family didn't have plenty through the year. In fact, if you missed the call for dinner you may have to eat dry cereal, the only thing we seemed to have plenty of. Often I missed the main course because I was too busy riding my bike or hiking in the marshlands to hear the dinner call. I did eventually learn to sit at the back stoop when dinner was being prepared so that I could be first to the table.
These sights and sound of Christmas were always some of my favorite memories. I am certain that I was spoiled! Yet, in the midst of all the festivities that made up my memories, one thing always stuck out to me. It was the ministry of the local church. Christmas eve services and candy corn balls (remember those?) were highlights of the year. The church reminded us that the holiday was not just to meet the needs (or wants) of mine, it was a reminder to care about those that didn't have as much as we did. The church would tell the story of Christ in a humble manger. The pastor would preach a message of love and good will for all. There were the youth group film night themed with the message of giving not receiving from the Grinch to Scrooge. The message was that we are blessed and should give to others who don't have as much.
I reflect on those years with a keen sense of the real message of Christ in the manger. In a world of commercialization and materialism I can recall how important it is to give to those in need.
Today, I know that I am impacted by the emphasis on giving. I love buying gifts for those less fortunate. I enjoy ringing the bell for the Salvation Army. I enjoy promoting and collecting gifts for needy children. I even carry cash that I have handed out to people in need.
I don't say that to brag. I say that because I know that you too have experienced the joy of Christ in Christmas. I know that you too give to those in need. It is a time of year that reminds all of us to be generous in giving and in our spirit. We may be tempted to be impatient as we stand in long lines at superstores. We can become impatient waiting on our packages to be delivered to our homes.
Yet, the season of music and good will toward men is refreshing. I am now at an age that I love to see kids get excited about opening gifts, just like I did ages ago.
Make this year a season of giving like never before. Show your love to someone in need. Demonstrate generosity to someone even if they may not deserve it. Do something for someone else that may not have the means to do for themselves. It is in doing for others that Christmas becomes real.
