The "W" in Christmas

A friend sent this to me and I knew it was worth sharing.

The "W" in Christmas

Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience.  I had cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending.

Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.

My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six year old.  For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter Pageant."

I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then.

Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.

So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down.  Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats.

As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.

Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer.  So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title.

Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads.  Those in the front row- center stage - held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song.

As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love."

The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down - totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W".

The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W".  Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together.

A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen.  In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities.

For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:



"C H R I S T W A S L O V E"

And, I believe, He still is.

Amazed in His presence... .humbled by His love.

HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS SEASON!

The "car rider" line

One of my friends posted on her FB page about a golf cart who cut in the car rider line at school.  She was annoyed, and joined by several friends who had been witness to the same affront at different times. 

Having been subjected to the dreaded car rider line myself recently, my sympathy was probably lacking for the entire situation.  

It has taken me three years to grasp the concept of the car rider line.  "When I was that age"... we walked to school. Or rode our bikes.  There was no chauffeur service to deposit us on the front doorstep of secondary education, or whisk us off after the last bell.

By second grade, I was responsible for getting myself home from school.  By third grade, I made my own breakfast and got myself out the door for the 1+ mile walk.  Only the limits of my imagination could encompass the possible penalty of failing to achieve the objective, or taking a detour.  There was no driver, and the worst danger we feared (aside from the wrath of Mom) was the dog behind the fence of the house in the alley.

Eventually, school was too far away to ride our bikes and we became bus riders. But the routine didn't change: get self out of bed on time, feed self, dress self, get out the door on time or else.

Today, the school district kindly provides bus transportation to every student in the district regardless of location. During enrollment, the only options are "bus rider" or "car rider".  No "walk" or "bicycle", or "none of the above". 

Some parents just cannot bear for their little darlings to ride the bus, but from my experience, it is a perfectly acceptable option.  No need to waste time or money for gas just for the opportunity to be a chauffeur for a day.

But here I sit, my own little darling having lost her bus privledges for the week due to poor choices.  It is not pleasant for either of us.  The lines of cars parked waiting on both sides of the road, the parents parked in the grass, the off-duty officer directing traffic.  Every day.  Seriously?

At least it gives me time to think.  Maybe too much time....

I love December because...

Work is amazingly slow.  So I get to take a break to do things like address Christmas cards.  And fold laundry.   Maybe even get a warm beverage, soft fuzzy socks, and a nap.  Makes up for all those days where I got started at 6:30 a.m. and worked through lunch.

I love warm South Texas Decembers.  47 degrees out this morning.  No frost, no sliding around or frozen locks.  A good sweater is all you need.  We can take the open trolley to see Christmas lights and still enjoy ourselves.

I love December for the good food.  Comfort food.  Soups, hot breakfast, family recipes and yummy stuff that you could eat all year, but just don't.  I love the music. I love that it is my baby girl's birth-month.  I love that this month is about our Savior.