The spirit of Christmas

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” 

- Luke 2:14

Over the years, members of our family have gathered out on Fellowship Road in Smith County, Miss., just up the hill from Okahay Creek. We came together in all seasons of the year, but none that meant so much as at Christmas.

There was never anything fancy in Granny’s house, but there was a love that crossed generations. Whatever Granny had, she shared — even to the extent if someone needed something and she had it, she would give it away and do without.

Try as I might, I simply can’t pull up a recollection of Granny sitting, other than when on the back porch shelling peas or beans. There was never candy or soft drinks at Granny’s as we grew up … there was never room for it, as she made cakes and tea and always (it seems) had baked sweet potatoes out on the table for the kids to grab as a snack.

Perhaps because we’re human, we always seem to find time to bemoan our misfortunes, whether real or perceived, but at this time of the year, when we celebrate the birth of Christ, let’s deal with reality.

Our family has been blessed. Over the years, we’ve lost many members. Yes, we lost every single one of them before we wanted … but we had so many good times together on which to reflect that it would be hard to imagine ever having gotten along without them. How empty our lives would have been.

God has blessed us … each and every one, as Tiny Tim would say.

We have our health, we have our homes, we have clothes on our backs and food on our tables and before we dare think about what might be, let’s think about the child who, through the harsh reality of life, knows there’s no Santa Claus or the parent worrying over how to keep a roof over their family’s head during these tough economic times.

This Christmas, give thanks for all that is yours and, if you can, do like Granny Walker did and share some of your bounty with someone less fortunate than you and yours. What better gift than that of a smile, a bit of hope and a little love?