Making the old look good at Christmas Remembering Childhood Christmases

Making the old look good at Christmas

Remembering Childhood Christmases

Over the centuries we have added a lot to the manger scene

So as you put up your tree, lights and displays, and play

your Christmas music don’t forget to get out the manger scene

Make the old story of the birth of Christ look good

Because out of all the other messages and pleasures,

nothing is more important than the oldest,

the first Christmas in Bethlehem

To the one who believes in the true Christmas,

the old will always look the best 

As I stood admiring the old door in a new modern hallway

of the church I couldn’t help but think of past Christmases.

I have had 63 past Christmases.

My first memories of Christmas…

It is hard to remember much

before my parents were divorced.

But I do remember waking up with presents under a tree.

It seems one of those years Christmas was on a Sunday

and we had to wait till after church to open presents.

I remember being a shepherd in the children’s

church program, I was so glad I was not one of the sheep.

I guess I never lost that desire to be a shepherd.

Every year after the church Christmas program the

church would give each child a box of hard candy,

its funny how we remember the sweet things in life.

After my parent’s divorce, Christmas was

big in our hearts but small on the gifts.

I remember church members leaving gifts on our front porch

so we would have something to open on Christmas Day.

People brought us bags of food

so we could have a special meal.

My two brothers, sister and I would spend time with my dad

which was wonderful even though he had nothing to give. 

As my dad got on his feet, he married again

and I gained four step and three half siblings.

So we had Christmas at home,

at Dad’s, and both grandparents.

The one thing I remember most was

Christ was the center of Christmas.

My gifts never came from Santa Claus,

they came from real people who loved me

and I knew it was a sacrifice for them to give.

Growing up in the church I was not only told the

Christmas story each year, I was made a part of it

as there was always a children’s Christmas program.

The program was always the same, Jesus born in a

manger, Mary and Joseph, with shepherds and wise men.

    

Our Christmas programs were

not sophisticated as they are today.

They were full of missed lines and off key singing.

For most of the parents and guests the message

was lost in how cute the children were.

So maybe the most important thing of all was my young

mind and the minds of the other children who love to dream.

Each one of us were given the chance to dream

of being there that night Jesus was born.

The old door in the church hall way reminds me

of my old Christmas’s and how they helped me to

get to know the Savior who was born of a virgin.

Maybe we should take another look at

our decorations and events this Christmas.

Over the centuries we have added a lot to the manger scene.

So as you put up your tree, lights and displays, and play your

Christmas music don’t forget to get out the manger scene.

Make the old story of the birth of Christ look good.

Because out of all the other messages and pleasures

nothing is more important than the oldest,

the first Christmas in Bethlehem.

To the one who believes in the true

Christmas the old will always look the best.

Scripture Reading    

Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV

6 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.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace

there will be no end.

He will reign on David's throne

and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

with justice and righteousness

from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty

will accomplish this.