I’ve always loved the Christmas holidays. I guess most people do. Having grown up in Wisconsin I associate Christmas with lots of snow and cold. Some of my favorite things to do during Christmas vacation included sledding down the street in my neighborhood. The city would block off a hilly street so that kids had a safe place to play. It was great. Then there was the municipal ice rink where we could skate to our hearts content. What fun.

Since I grew up during the great depression in the thirties I worked at a very early age. I worked in stores; I was a delivery boy; I delivered newspapers; I was stock-boy in a five and dime; I sold shoes. As a result I had my own money to spend. I was pretty tight fisted with it as it had been hard to come by. But at Christmas time I joined the crowds on the streets of our small town looking for just the right gifts. It was fun.

Our family celebrated with board games, popcorn and cookies that mom baked by the hundreds. She was the best. I can’t forget the pies — Pumpkin, Apple, Cherry and Mince Meat. Makes my mouth water even now. We were a happy bunch of people.

Then there was the annual Church Christmas program. We built sets on the stage and always put on a GREAT production. I particularly enjoyed being the Bethlehem inn keeper who with great emphasis told Joseph and Mary that there was NO ROOM IN THE INN. We had a great time as a church family celebrating Christmas.

I’m not sure that we really GOT the Christmas message as I look back on it. I wonder how many Christians really get it? I read something the other day that has really got me thinking about Christmas in a NEW way. There are seven words that give us the essence of the Christmas message. The angel declared that it was a message of GOOD NEWS and GREAT JOY. Here are the seven words:
GOD LOVES YOU!
LOVE GOD!
LOVE PEOPLE!

There it is! That is really good news that changes the world and changes US!

Think about it and ENJOY a wonderful Christmas filled with LOVE!

-Mel