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The "W" in Christmas

Sun, Dec 27 2009 7:01 PM (5 replies)
  • pcbrown
    30 Posts
    Fri, Dec 18 2009 7:52 AM
    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.. May each of you have a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year as you reflect on His Amazing Love for us. Hope you all have a wonderful Christwaslove holiday season.
  • Faterson
    2,902 Posts
    Fri, Dec 18 2009 8:07 AM

    Erm... to avoid legal trouble, you might want to include the writer's name when posting her story.

    I remember this particular story was actually at the center of some legal troubles. Some writer (more prestigious) copied it from the original writer (a blogger, I believe), then published it as her own story. The original writer (a Californian, I think) then either sued the second writer, or at any rate complained about it. I think the daily New York Times was somehow involved in all this, I no longer remember the details. There's an account of the whole affair on snopes.com but I can't find the link right now.

  • GITrDONE
    701 Posts
    Fri, Dec 18 2009 9:33 AM

    pcbrown:
    Christwaslove holiday season.

    I don't care who wrote it or who it happened to.The message is very clear and true.Christ IS Love and nothing less.I'm glad to see that every time you see GOD's name metioned the talk of a law suit follows.I really don't think the Christian community is going to keep caving to these threats any longer.The idea of sharing gifts to represent Christmas is obsurd at best.I tell you what you do...Go find someone on earth that is as good as Jesus was and give them a gift.Because giving gifts to people just because so&so store has the junk ON SALE don't mean it is in the spirit of Christmas.On Jesus's birthday(Christmas) he was the only one worthy of a gift that day.To take that day and give gifts to people weather they deserve them or not is just not what Christmas is all about.But corporate America has convinced our society that if you don't we are somehow viewed as a scrooge.You can still honor the Christmas Spirit and give a gift to Jesus.Give yourself to Jesus,thats the true meaning of Christmas.Any other gift is worthless when given on Christmas Day.

    Larry

  • Faterson
    2,902 Posts
    Fri, Dec 18 2009 9:45 AM

    Ah, now I remembered! The writer who copied this story was Neale Donald Walsch, someone I actually admire. He's from Oregon, not California. And the original writer to whom this story really happened was a female blogger. Here's a link referring to this:

    http://message.snopes.com/showthread.php?t=40798

    I'm sure more can be found via Google.

    PS: Agree with you on the overly materialistic spirit of modern-day Christmas, Larry.

  • lovethisgame
    8 Posts
    Fri, Dec 25 2009 9:15 AM

    May I take this time to thank you for a wonderful story, it bless's my heart to hear there are still people who truly understand what Christmas is all about. May you have a wonderful day in Christ this and everyday. Thank you again for shareing this story. Peace and Love to you and your,,,

  • gumbybot
    44 Posts
    Sun, Dec 27 2009 7:01 PM

    fancy finding you here hmmmm

    hi buddy .

    just looking for some friends for us on WGT and I happed upon this place and waht a pleasant surprise to see ur mug ............................

     

    Hi folks , I am looking ( with some difficulty ) for genuine serious christians on WGT but the ones I have come across either have ( according to their profiles ) are not , or either hold a shoddy testimony to the grace of God in their lives ( not looking for perfection , but hearts that love my Saviour ,

    lovethisgame:

    May I take this time to thank you for a wonderful story, it bless's my heart to hear there are still people who truly understand what Christmas is all about. May you have a wonderful day in Christ this and everyday. Thank you again for shareing this story. Peace and Love to you and your,,,

    merry Christmas in the pure sense of the greeting

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