Simply Christmas
There have many a Christmas day since I was born and I look back on them and always find a pleasant memory. Christmas day for many years was to awaken with anticipation of what I would find under the tree, although I knew it would not be much. Christmas day was a time to hurry along with the chores and return to the house to savor the aroma of Turkey or chicken in the oven, molasses cake, biscuits and fruit pies. Later around diner time, (lunch) company would arrive, Uncles aunts, Grandmother Carrie and Lula and cousins, some bearing gifts that were very inexpensive, compared today. Nuts, dried fruits and berries and homemade candy were set out with orders not to be greedy.
To put Christmas in perspective the days before Christmas were also very important. I always delighted in accompanying Mother out into the woods to find that perfect tree and then with painstaking care begin the trimming process. There were very few store bought decorations, most were hand made, but that didn’t matter, for we didn’t know any better. Christmas Eve was a time to attend Liberty church and enjoy a simple biblical play relating to the birth of Christ. Afterward a small brown paper sack was handed out to each child containing an apple and a handful of hard candy. It was a time to reflect on the Christ Child. Little was said of Santa; however he was something most children loved to hear about.
It was unheard of to receive a bad gift and of course no exchange was even thought of. Clothing was very important, or perhaps a pocket knife or a small colloid toy. Now all of this may seem humdrum to some people, but that’s alright. Christmas was for me a very special day and still is. Simply Christmas was without the Hullabaloo that seems prevalent today with flashing lights, loud noises and huskers trying desperately to take as much money from us as they can.
Christmas is not about you or me, but a child that became a savior who brought hope to man and paid a dreadful price for that. The spirit of Christmas is a gift to mankind and should not be lost or misplaced. A very Merry Christmas to all. Adios
There have many a Christmas day since I was born and I look back on them and always find a pleasant memory. Christmas day for many years was to awaken with anticipation of what I would find under the tree, although I knew it would not be much. Christmas day was a time to hurry along with the chores and return to the house to savor the aroma of Turkey or chicken in the oven, molasses cake, biscuits and fruit pies. Later around diner time, (lunch) company would arrive, Uncles aunts, Grandmother Carrie and Lula and cousins, some bearing gifts that were very inexpensive, compared today. Nuts, dried fruits and berries and homemade candy were set out with orders not to be greedy.
To put Christmas in perspective the days before Christmas were also very important. I always delighted in accompanying Mother out into the woods to find that perfect tree and then with painstaking care begin the trimming process. There were very few store bought decorations, most were hand made, but that didn’t matter, for we didn’t know any better. Christmas Eve was a time to attend Liberty church and enjoy a simple biblical play relating to the birth of Christ. Afterward a small brown paper sack was handed out to each child containing an apple and a handful of hard candy. It was a time to reflect on the Christ Child. Little was said of Santa; however he was something most children loved to hear about.
It was unheard of to receive a bad gift and of course no exchange was even thought of. Clothing was very important, or perhaps a pocket knife or a small colloid toy. Now all of this may seem humdrum to some people, but that’s alright. Christmas was for me a very special day and still is. Simply Christmas was without the Hullabaloo that seems prevalent today with flashing lights, loud noises and huskers trying desperately to take as much money from us as they can.
Christmas is not about you or me, but a child that became a savior who brought hope to man and paid a dreadful price for that. The spirit of Christmas is a gift to mankind and should not be lost or misplaced. A very Merry Christmas to all. Adios
1 comment:
I love this story. I can feel the anticipation in your words. I also remember as a child a brown paper sack filled with candy and fruit from our church.
These are great memories.
Post a Comment