The Spirit of Christmas
My fondest memories of Christmas as a child are of the simple things we all love. For my siblings and I, the weeks leading up to Christmas were filled with excitement and anticipation. We loved seeing the colorful Christmas lights and sparkly decorations and the smell of fresh cut cedar trees in the air.
One of our favorite things to do was to attend the town Christmas parade on a chilly December Friday night. After the procession of amazing floats, marching bands, horses and cars with dignitaries, we eagerly awaited Santa who tossed candy to all the kids at the parade's finale. Seeing Santa Claus and receiving free candy filled our innocent hearts with joy.
Our parents told us that Christmas was when the Lord Jesus was born and that the holiday was all about Him. However, on Christmas morning we were excited to see what treats we would receive. In a household with little money and many kids, receiving a gift was rare. But, our parents did their best to show their love and to make us feel special. We could expect cardboard boxes of large delicious red apples and sweet juicy oranges that filled the room with the aroma of Christmas. There would also be peppermint candy canes, colorful ribbon candies, and an assortment of nuts (brazil, pecans, almonds & walnuts). For extra excitement there would be "Black Cat" firecrackers to pop throughout the day! To top off the day, our family would enjoy a Christmas feast of baked hens with cornbread dressing, giblet gravy, vegetables, cranberry sauce, and an assortment of cakes and pies.
While our childhood Christmas memories are precious, none are more precious than remembering why Christ was born. "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders." "And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace", Isaiah 9:6. This is the true spirit of Christmas.
Pictures Courtesy of:
The Merry Christmas Angels - courtesy of goodsamaritancaregivers.com & Vintage African American Christmas Card