Today is brilliant with the hope of Christmas. The Sun is shining and a Yueltide wind is blowing. The children are anxious and so is Mylo as he regularly visits the walk-in closet to look up at the bag of his Christmas gifts that are on the shelf and then he barks several times as he protests that he must wait a bit longer. 

It is the little things that make the difference and the older I become I realize that life comprises the little things. At church yesterday my friend Rob complimented my writing and it made my day. His kind words reminded me of the scripture that, ‘A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.’ 

‘I wrote my old friend Steve the other day that it was about time for he and I to load up in his vintage Chrysler and travel to Eldorado for Christmas with Neva J. When you entered Neva J and Earl’s home you were immediately struck with how warm it was both with love and the coal stove that was adjacent to the kitchen. I vividly recall purchasing on the installment plan a lovely picture that Down’s Furniture Store had on display. In my understanding, it represented fine art. Neva J was ecstatic with her present. 

Garland is a joyous Christmas decoration that Pastor Kerry spoke of Sunday morning. At one time folks placed lit candles on their Christmas tree. Or…bubble lights… 

Nativity Scenes bring a special peace to the Christmas ambiance. We wait for the Christ Child and the unity of humanity that he brings. Weary we are from all of the abusive words and fighting about political expediency and hidden agendas that benefit the speaker of the rhetoric and have little efficacious blessing for the listener. 

Christmas is simple although we make it complex. Peace on Earth…Goodwill Toward Men… Neva J had a warm coal stove and a little Christmas Tree. She worked hard to create a lovely Christmas Dinner with Roast Beast and her Holiday Coffee Cake. The aunts were there with divinity and fudge and cigarettes for Aunt Vema. Neva J’s cats were in their Holiday splendor and awaiting their special holiday feast. 

Hopes were high because we were all together… Joy abounded as we looked to the future that was bright and full of mystery and promise. Each of us had jumped hurdles of challenge over the year and the challenge awaited us in the New Year…but we had each other and we knew that we would persevere as long as love was our lighthouse. 

Wars and rumors of war were always in our peripheral vision. The children show us the way. This Christmas let’s all be like we were when we were children. None of us have been here so long.  This is the first Christmas of the rest of our lives…

‘It is almost time to leave for the Party,’ Billy B said.

‘Each year I am surprised to be asked again, Jane said.’ ’I always feel like a duck out of water,’ she added. 

‘I wonder if we are the token non-academic guests,’ Chet mused. ’Each year I have to reintroduce myself to each professor and more often than not they assure me that the work I perform for the university is essential,’ he said as he grinned a Cheshire Cat grin.

‘If it was not for our affection for the hosts we probably would politely decline…but they seem to enjoy our presence. Then there is the going back midweek before Christmas for a lovely gift exchange and some wonderful holiday fellowship around the Christmas Tree,’ Billy B reflected. ’If we are the token non-academic our friends do not reveal that peculiar feeling we assimilate from their other guests. ’Indeed they seem like family, Billy B proclaimed. 

‘Often folks have asked me if you are a professor,’ Chet told Billy B. ’Certainly your dedication to JA has proven your fidelity to her,’ he said.

‘Well the confidence that she exhibited in me when she was the leader was compelling and I felt like we had met before…the first time that I met her,’ Billy B asserted. ’Her dedication to the blue-collar staff or our University was unparalleled…she would walk out into the middle of a grassy field to greet a grounds worker, he said with a tear in his eye. 

‘My goodness the Christmas Pary Drinks are especially strong this year…I thought that I saw Santa in the dining room among all of the Waterford Santas,’ Jane said. ’He asked me if I had a special wish for this Christmas and I told him that if he would roll back time and allow JA to have never been affiliated with our School…and all of the grief and suffering that both she and we suffered…would never have happened,’ Jane continued.

‘So…President A. how would you address the racial strife that is permeating our university campuses? ’What would you do at Harvard to address the anti-semitism resulting from the war in Gaza, the representative asked in a blunt manner.

‘I believe that our universities including Harvard must be a house for all peoples…threatening speech is always unacceptable, JA said in the hearing at the United States House of Representatives. 

Behind JA was Billy B listening intently to her every word and periodically whispering in her ear. 

Billy B and JA had agreed many years ago that they both believed in Santa Claus…

When I was a wee lad and engaging in one of my favorite pastimes of watching movies at the only theatre in Eldorado I knew that the movie had concluded when the words The End appeared. Of course, that simply meant the movie had concluded for that run of it and I had time to make a restroom visit and a visit to the concessions stand before the movie of the day began again and I would sit and enjoy it anew.  

Nature is a bit like the movies at the Orpheum. The leaves have changed color and then gone brown and fallen to the ground. The Woods are dormant and dark and deep and the bare limbs stretch their naked arms towards the sky. A cold rain is falling today and the Christmas Wreaths are getting wet. Many of the Christmas lights are ablaze as the grey skies have beckoned them to shine. Christmas shoppers are out because time is drawing nigh for the celebration. The Manger scenes have dead leaves among their living images. 

Has The End occurred we say. Is all death and quiet and stillness? The Christ Child gives us hope for tomorrow. The movie may have concluded…but it begins again soon…

‘Weeping may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning.’ 

Could it be that The End…Is The Beginning…

‘There is a Christmas Suprise in your future,’ Neva J said with a wicked grin. 

‘I have been shaking the Christmas presents and I think that I know what is in each of them,’ Billy B answered. ’I asked for a Big Swinger Polaroid Camera and the present is the right size for the request…I measured,’ Billy B responded with the certainty of an accountant. 

‘I have requested from Santa a Daniel Boone action figure…no GI Joe for me when Daniel Boone is available,’ Chet laughed. ’Mom said that Santa will be visiting the Orpheum Theatre this afternoon and I think that we must go and solidify our requests,’ Neva J said as she winked.

‘Have you ever wondered what a task it is for Santa to visit every house on Christmas Eve…and eat the cookies and drink the milk,’ Chet asked? 

‘That is the most realistic Santa that I have ever seen,’ Jane mused as the kids all gathered around him in the lobby of the Orpheum. ’He not only called me by name but asked about my mom and dad and knew their names as well,’ she continued. 

‘What would you like for Christmas Billy B,’ Santa asked.

‘Well, I think that I have a Big Swinger Polaroid Camera already under the tree…that Neve J probably got me…I really would like to be better at Math…it bedevils me, Billy B said. 

‘Ho Ho Ho…I had problems with Math myself when I was a lad,’ Santa beamed. ’Egbert will visit you on Mondays and Fridays to tutor you in the peculiar skill, Santa said with a laugh. ’He is a wiz at Math…and all you will need is some pepperoni for him to munch on to keep him engaged in the lessons,’ he continued. ’When he knocks on your front door do not forget to look down as he is only three feet tall…but a genius who loves pepperoni…and Rye Whiskey…do not forget the Rye Whiskey…if you do not have the Rye…Egbert becomes angry. 

‘Are there any other special requests that Egbert has,’ Billy B asked?

‘He may bring his fiance…Ethel…she is the apple of his eye…she loves a good English Breakfast with all of the fixings including the baked beans and sausages and a pint of Guinness to accompany the meal,’ Santa winked and grinned. 

‘Santa, just ensure that I have my Big Swinger Polaroid Camera and I will take care of the math tutoring,’ Billy B said with a look of relief on his face…

I closed my Move Goal again on my iPhone Ap. I love to close my move goal. I can close it most days and my smartphone wants me to raise the goal. Now why would I want to do that…I enjoy exceeding the Goal too much…

Christmas is a little over a week away but the weather does not seem so. My winter clothes are nice and warm. I saw a fly in December…and he was lost. We are all a bit lost as we acclimate to the warming of our planet.

Santa has ordered Bermuda shorts for the big night. It may be premature but the big guy gets hot. The elves drink iced coffee and Chocola rather than their usual hot chocolate. Outdoor toys and games are all the rage on Santa’s list. Our political leaders have requested several fiddles as they want to follow Emperor Nero in practicing their musical prowess. 

‘What…Me Worry,’ Alfred E. Newman said.

Covid never left. We do not hear about it as much but we see its virulent results in our communities. As the holidays come we must be on guard.

Expediency is the governor of our leaders. What is good for today and for our pocketbooks and investments. Religious theories seem to govern physical realities and they pay little attention to the devasting aftermath of the results of their implementation. 

‘We need a little Christmas right this very minute…’ and 2024 will be our New Year just a week later…

It is another lovely day in the neighborhood. The weather is once again spring-like. What will the cost be? ’Christmas is coming and the goose is getting fat…won’t you please put a penny in the old man’s hat…if you haven’t got a penny a hay-penny will do…if you haven’t got a hay-penny…God bless you.’ Often we look at others and wonder why we do not possess what they do…seldom do we look in the mirror. 

Married we are to our beliefs. What we learned as children and the words of our friends lead us to form how we treat others less fortunate. I heard that when the Christian Community first decided to become more engaged in politics during the 1970’s we saw politics through our Christian lens. Now it seems we see Christianity through our Political Lense. 

I watched a fascinating movie last night regarding time travel and how one change in time could affect significant patterns in life. Indeed we became who we are through millions of little seemingly insignificant occurrences. Perhaps we were slighted or, as Neva J often said, ‘High Hatted’ meaning the elite or, in our perception, did not make us feel welcome or seen…

A mixture of emotions, historical conspiracy theories, and often wrongly perceived hurts have formed our presentation to the world. All that is required of us is to love our human family. Our fellows are more like us than different from us. In search of the Spirit of Christmas, we are…when we can find it in the Manger. The shepherds and the wise men stood side by side in their shared humanity. The animals stood in their midst as fellow creations of God. 

The barn in Bethlehem…the Manger…the birth of the Saviour…in common and mean circumstances was a beautiful place to discover unity of purpose. 

Peace On Earth…Goodwill To Man…

‘He said that I would have a child,’ She said.

‘Pardon…who is the father,’ Her betrothed asked?

‘Well I am a Virgin but I feel the baby quicken within me,’ She answered. ’ He told me that the baby’s name would be Jesus and that He would be the Son Of God and rule over Israel forever,’ She said.

‘So…is that what He told you…and who is He to have such incredible knowledge of your physical condition,’ The Betrothed asked?

‘He is an angel and was sent by God…He had wings and was very tall,’ She answered.

‘Had wings you say…did He have a shofar or a sword as well,’ The Betrothed asked? 

Time passed as it always does and soon She was great with child. The young couple had to journey to Bethlehem to participate in a census ordered by the Roman Emperor Cesar Agustus. The donkey ride was long hot and dusty. 

‘Our relationship is as the kids say…complicated,’ The Betrothed said. ’All I have is faith…the evidence is a bit difficult to understand,’ he continued.

‘Well the Innkeeper says that he does not have a room for us although I told him that you are about to deliver a baby,’ The Betrothed told Her. ’The surly man said that we can sleep in the barn with the animals,’ The Betrothed continued. 

‘Where did all of the people come from…and many with gifts for the Baby,’ She asked? 

‘The shepherds say that an Angel told them where to go and the nicely dressed men who say that they are wise followed a star,’ The Betrothed answered. ’The animals seem enraptured with our Baby…there is a look of love in their eyes,’ The Betrothed continued.

‘I have asked much of you, my love,’ She said. ’What do we do now, She asked?

‘It has been a wild and crazy ride and I am not referring to the donkey from Nazareth to Bethlehem,’ The Betrothed said. ’Since God has brought us this far…he must have a plan for the rest of the journey,’ The Betrothed continued. 

He told the Lamb to speak and it said,’ Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all people. For this day in the city of David, there has been born for you a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.’

Poinsettias were everywhere. The Christmas Tree was heavy with ornaments. Christmas music sung by the choir and accompanied expertly by the pianist was inspirational. There were candles lit and their mysterious flickering lent an aura of something special happening. The pastor began to preach about the birth of the baby Jesus. He spoke in the manner of Dickens’s time and his words impacted as if the Christmas Eve Service was being held in Victorian England. You could breathe in the expectancy of the event and feel the Spirit of Christmas sitting next to you on the ancient pews.

The old church was a magnificent structure. Stained glass windows adorned both sides of the sanctuary. The pews were full and folks were standing in the back. The organist was adept at her craft and the subsequent sound was heavenly. The angels sat on the crafted beams of the vaulted ceiling. In a moment Billy B felt the meaning of Christmas. He had searched for a church that kept Christmas Well…

Behind Billy B was a mother and father and their two daughters. They had felt alone for most of their time in the small city. Billy B could hear one of the girls’ coughs and noticed that she had a runny nose. The little family had decided at the last minute to attend the Christmas Eve service in a final effort to find the meaning of Christmas in a little town that seemed clannish and segmented among old friends and acquaintances.

The lights were turned off as each person’s little candle was lit. Smiles emanated from the forgotten family as the minister lit each of their candles and wished them Merry Christmas…

‘Silent night, holy night All is calm, and all is bright’

‘Round yon Virgin Mother and Child Holy infant so tender and mild’

Sleep in heavenly peace Sleep in heavenly peace…’ Silent Night

Tears of joy streamed down Dad’s face. Mom grabbed his hand as well as her daughter’s hands.

No longer would they be…alone…

The little Southern Illinois and former coal mining town was resplendent in Holiday Decorations. The parking along the town was striped for diagonal parking. The brilliantly lit Christmas wreaths were stretched across the road and secured on either side by the telephone poles. For a small town as all of Little Egypt’s towns were…it was dazzling. There was a humongous Santa Claus statue near the bank, accentuating the uptown Quadrangle. The little town was of faith and many churches dotted its blocks.

The Orpheum Theatre marquee was ablaze with cascading lights. Lanny gave Billy B a drive to the Christmas Movie. A fifth of Peppermint Schnapps sat next to the happy driver and he offered Billy B a drink if he so chose. Billy B thirstily drank not 1 drink but 3 or 4 and suddenly felt very much in the yuletide mood. ‘Are you sure you are alright to go to the movie,’ asked Lanny?

‘I have never felt better if I may be so bold…I must have some more Schnapps soon,’ Billy B said with red-cheeked and watery-eyed joy! ‘I must confess that is the best Peppermint Schnapps that I have ever tasted,’ Billy B proclaimed!

The Orpheum was full of Holiday Cheer. Billy B stumbled to his seat…he was 9 years old. He fell asleep before the opening credits of It’s A Wonderful Life…

As Billy B left the Theatre he noticed Christmas Cookies Divinity and Holiday Punch for sale along the sidewalk the Orpheum set on. Where was the Ben Franklin Dime Store and Carter and Choisser’s Drug Store? Several people were wearing top hats and an English Bobby was standing next to him. A horse-drawn carriage pulled up to where he was standing and the driver asked if would like a ride…and he rode with joy. In the large circle of the connecting streets of the Quadrangle where many special events were held… was a group of young women dancing to the most compelling tune. Their graceful movements were swan-like and it was obvious that they had practiced for some time. Christmas arts and crafts were in every widow and hanging from all lampposts.

Eldorado was different but it was beautiful… Everyone was happy and full of the Spirit of Christmas…and Billy B awoke in 1966…

Derrick brought the Spirit of Christmas to our house. He is our Pest Control Technician. Derrick and his wife have a new baby. He is over the moon regarding the miracle of the New Life in his home. He shared with MJ and me several photos of his pride and joy and in one the baby had a little sock hat on and I immediately was reminded of Aaron and Jonathon. Derrick has two more stops to make and then he must rush home and get mother and baby for a Christmas Party…

The Advent of New Life is precious and always worthy of a celebration. The profound excitement of being in the world and a part of all of its sights, sounds, and mysteries is exhilarating to experience and exciting for those who drink the cup of life with you. Whether it is your first Christmas or your 66th…life is new every morning.

A bit jaded we are by some repetition. I was watching the movie…The Square…which illustrates the vagaries of what is considered art and who assigns the value. In the film, the main character is engrossed in the nuances of art and his promoting of it. At the same time, there are homeless all around him on the streets outside his museum. Although he turns his head and pretends not to notice them he does answer a poor woman that he does not have cash for her request but that he would buy her something to eat. She responds immediately with a food order. When she complains that he got an item of the request wrong he looks on with some disgust.

‘I must get the kitty cats’ food ready…they like the cereal that I cook for them,’ Neva J said with a twinkle in her eye. ‘They wait for me each morning and come running when I bring the big pot that has the warm food in it…there were just a few of them but the group has grown to 10 or more over the years,’ she continued. ‘If it was not for me…they would starve.’

‘I love to watch the Christmas Eve Service from the Vatican,’ Chet remarked. ‘The pageantry and vibrant colors and the statue of the Baby Jesus in the manger inspires me,’ he mentioned. ‘The humility of Pope Francis captivates my imagination,’ he continued. ‘He seems to love those who lack love and who have been forgotten by society, Chet said softly.

‘How is it that you noticed me when no one else did…when I walked down the sidewalk many looked the other way or crossed the street to not have to encounter me,’ Abigail with one eye asked?

‘When I see you I see Jesus…when I see you…I see love and New Life,’ Neva J answered…