Old Christmas

Story from Years Ago

By Barbie Peterson, NJ

My favorite time of year was the Christmas season as achild. It was such an exciting and magical time of year.Making my Christmas list, making lists of what everyonein the family liked and their sizes.

My mother had a Christmas club for me each year, sothat I could buy Christmas presents for everyone. Beingso young, it was exciting to pick the perfect shirt and cuff links for my dad, and the prettiest pajamas for mom. I loved the secrecy of it all and being able to give to others.

I would wait in anticipation for the time when my parents would pull out the Christmas boxes from the very back of their deep closet. They'd pull out the Christmas records and put them on the record player.

I'd dance all around to "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree" as we'd pull out the decorations. My favorite song was "The Little Drummer boy" and all the Rumpa-ba-bums!

Traditions bind families together and this was my favoritetradition!

I loved seeing the red candles, red and green suited elves and the little stuffed Santa. dad would always wait until the 24th to get our Christmas tree. So some years we had some pretty scrawny ones, but somehow with all the lights, pretty ornaments and tinsel, you didn't really notice.

The bible verse "He hath made every thing beautiful in his time" (Ecc 3:11) - comes to mind right now.

Sitting and looking at all the pretty lights and sparkling tinsel was pure joy and still is for me.

Some Christmas Eves we'd go to the candlelight service at my mother's church. The glow of all the candles and celebration of Jesus' birth made the service especially sacred. I loved seeing the manger scene on the lawn in front of the church, as we'd travel by, throughout the holiday season.

I loved how we would exchange presents in school and decorate our class with our artwork for the holidays.

Each year the girls would secretly collect money to buy our teacher a Christmas present. We would meet downtown to pick out her gift after our Saturday matinée. It was such a thrill to be so secretive and surprise our teacher with our gift at our Christmas party.

Each year I looked forward to getting to decorate my room with some of the decorations. A local bank always handed out cardboard Christmas trees with Santa on them that I would put on my bedroom windows.

Before bed on Christmas Eve, I'd put all the presents I'd carefully chosen and wrapped under the tree. Then I made sure I set out some cookies for Santa before trying to go to sleep.

What child can sleep on Christmas Eve?

My bed was right next to a window, and I'd keep popping up to look out my window. I wanted to see if I could see Santa's sleigh and reindeer tracks in the snow! It always snowed for Christmas when I was a child. I long for the innocence of those days gone by!

I'd awaken early Christmas morning, run into my parents' room, jumping up and down excitedly, saying "It's Christmas! It's Christmas!"

Sleepily they'd put their robes on and come watch as we opened our gifts. Then it was my turn to hand them the perfect gift I'd found for them. Excitement was in my eyes and a huge smile on my face as I watched them unwrap my gifts of love to them. It wasn't as much the getting to me, as the fun and excitement of shopping for, wrapping, having secrets of what was in store for those I loved, and then finally the giving.

I'm sure the Lord must have felt the same way that first Christmas, when He brought forth Jesus, wrapped in swaddling clothes, the greatest gift of all.

May joy fill your holiday season and love!

Merry Christmas, one and all!