A childhood memory of Christmas
By Rev. Larry Collins,
Worship Pastor, First United Methodist Church, Lincoln
Send a link to a friend
[December 15, 2024]
“Mama, It's Christmas Eve, and tomorrow morning
we get to open our presents.” I announced excitedly. My brother
Jerry and sisters, Mary and Sarah, were so excited for this one
morning all each year when we receive surprise gifts and toys.
Christmas! |
|
|
 “And,
Mama,” I asked, “can you put the record on the record player, 'Here
Comes Santa Claus' to wake us up?” She smiled and said, “Yes, of
course.”
We went to bed eagerly awaiting the breaking of dawn. Mother was
busy through the night as we slept.
Boom! Like no time had passed, when our eyes popped open at the
sound of Gene Autry singing the song I had requested on our 78 RPM
record player. We ran down the steps to see a new bicycle, cap guns
like the Lone Ranger used, dolls for my sisters, cakes and goodies
to eat. It was a wonderful morning in the Collins home, our humble
little house on the east side of Palestine, Illinois.
Daddy had died a few years before and mother and we four children
were left to celebrate the holiday without his laughter and his
presence. Mother had taken a job at the Robinson Memorial Hospital
in Robinson to provide for us. It was amazing that she could afford
to buy these special gifts There. There were no credit cards in
those days. She put things on lay away and paid on them each month
until they were paid in full. She also bought things with her S and
H green Stamps from Patterson's supermarket.
But wait! What about Jesus? What about the Nativity? Well, that was
well covered too.
“Whenever the church doors are open, we will be there.” Mother
intoned to us, her four children. “We will be there for Sunday
worship, Sunday night service, Wednesday night prayer meeting and
Christmas Eve too.” And we were.
One highlight for us at our little Methodist Church in Palestine was
the reading of “Willie and Annie's Prayer” It was recited annually
by a faithful Christian woman in our church, Leota Gaddis. I
recommend you find it and read it. If you like something to warm
your heart and bring a tear to your eye.
[to top of second column] |
Of course, the poem ends when the harsh father is led
by God to bring the joys of Christ's blessings to his children even
when he was unaware God was leading him to do so.
Poem: Annie and Willie's Prayer by Sophia P. Snow
Which brings me to the end of my reflections on Christmas. God is at
work in our world today. We see it with the return of Christian
values in the young generation Z population. The people of America
have moved decidedly toward family values and renewing a sense of
the importance of faith in God. Jesus is still the most popular
person in the country this and every Christmas. That's the way it
should be. Open your heart and ask Him to forgive you and bring you
the joy He alone can give to you this holy season. Because Jesus
loves you and so do we who are part of His family. Merry Christmas.
|
