Once Upon A Christmas
By Angela Posey-Arnold
“What are you getting for Christmas this year, Jimmy? I think I’m getting a record player. I picked one out at Elmore’s.” Bonnie said to her friend and classmate at lunch.
Jimmy swallowed the last bite of apple, “A record player? That will be neat. I’m hoping to get the .22 Winchester I asked for. I need it for hunting. I think I will get it”.
“I can’t wait for the class Christmas party tomorrow. The best thing is being out of Haleyville Junior High School for the Christmas Holidays. Mother made some cookies for our eighth grade party. Oh, by the way, we want you to go with us to town this afternoon. And stay with us for the Tree Decorating Downtown tonight. Can you go if my Mom picks you up?” Jimmy asked.
“Sure, I’ll go. I know my parents will let me. I have some packages to wrap but it can wait. What time is she coming to get me?” Bonnie asked.
“About 3:30. She wants us to go shopping for something with her. Then we’ll go help decorate the tree and wait for the lights to be turned on. I always love that part.” Jimmy laughed.
“I’ll be ready at three o’clock”. Bonnie said hurrying back to class chattering with the other girls.
Jimmy’s Mother, Mrs. Godsey, watched the children in her first grade class walking home. As she tidied her small cold classrom the thought of the children haunted her. “If they get a coat for Christmas it will be a miracle, I know they won’t have toys like the other children.Just look at them. Poor farmer’s children with tattered clothes. The harvest was poor because of the drought. They will be going home to empty cupboards and no Christmas presents. I heard Jimmy say he wanted a rifle but I can’t do it. I cannot buy that rifle knowing these children will have nothing, by no fault of their own.It is just the circumstances of being the sons and daughters of farmer in this small rural community.I am thankful for this old school, there is no way they would get an education without it here so close.” She thought as she closed the classroom door for the last time in 1947. “Lord, please help them.”
She heard loud and clear the still small voice. “You help them. You have the money and it would be a good lesson for Jimmy and Bonnie.”
“Oh Lord, forgive me. I should have thought of it. I will, I just have to figure out a way to do it without them knowing. Farmers are very particular about not taking charity and making it on their own. I do not want them to know I did it. I’ll think of something. Help me Lord, Your Will be done.”
“Jimmy, are you in your room? Get your coat it is going to be a cold night for decorating the tree downtown. And Jimmy, wear your old shoes.” Mrs. Godsey called to Jimmy.
“My old shoes? Why Momma? I don’t want to wear my old shoes. Everyone will be in town. You want me to look like a tramp? I don’t know why you bought these new shoes if you won’t let me wear them.” Jimmy complained.
“Just do it, son. And call Bonnie and make sure she is not wearing dress up clothes. Tell her to wear her dungarees.”
“Okay. I don’t get it. But, okay. Bonnie will think I have lost my marbles but okay. Mothers!” Jimmy picked up the telephone to call Bonnie. He had to wait while Mrs. Hyatt and Mrs. Murphy complained about their bunions for five long minutes on the party line. “Could yall talk about this later? It is 3:00, the Christmas Tree Decorating starts at 5:30 and I need to call Bonnie Self.”
“Talk to you later, Myrtle. Soak your feet in Epsom salt” Mrs. Hyatt said as she finally hung up the phone so Jimmy could make the call. He told Bonnie what his Mother said and she agreed to wear her old pants and shoes. “I don’t understand your Mother sometimes, Jimmy” Bonnie giggled.
“Me either, but let’s just do it. Maybe she is going to take us to the movie later. See you in a few minutes. Bye.”
Bonnie was ready and waiting when the Godsey’s drove up to get her. She ran to the car. It had started to snow and with every flake the excitement of the season increased. Downtown Haleyville was all a buzz with late shoppers. The stores were decorated with nativity scenes and carols played from the stores.
“Okay, children. We are going to go to Elmore’s and Haye’s Hardware. Here is some money. Jimmy you pick out three toys for boys. Bonnie you pick out three things you think a girl would like. I have some shopping to do. Charge it at Haye’s and I will meet you at the Drug Store for hot chocolate at 5:00. We will have just enough time for a sandwich and some hot chocolate before they light the tree.”
“Mother, who are we buying these for?” Jimmy asked.
“Some kids in my class. Now hurry along.”
“This is so much fun. I love buying gifts. I found some very pretty things for girls. What did you find, Jimmy? Bonnie said as she carefully removed the gifts from the bag to show Jimmy.
“Wow, I got some good stuff. Trains, balls and even a toy tractor with moving parts. Whoever these kids are they are going to love this. Here comes Mother. Let’s order so we are not late.” Jimmy ordered sandwiches and hot chocolate and the three of them warmed by the wood stove in the Drug Store.
The streets of town lined with people waiting for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting. The snow picked up pace enough to raise the spirits of hope so prevalent in the Christmas season. The Baptist Pastor stood and read the Christmas story from the book of Luke. “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:1-14 KJV)
After a prayer of thanksgiving to God for sending Jesus, the Saviour of the world, the chubby mayor with pomp and circumstance that only a politician can muster, lit the tree. The lights, white, red, blue, green, shined so brightly and the Star on the top of the tree warmed the hearts of all. The lights were bright and so beautiful; Jimmy looked over and smiled at Bonnie.
“Are you crying? What in the world are you crying about, girl? It is a happy occasion.” Jimmy said as he shook his head, whispering under his breath, ‘girls’!”
“I am crying because I am happy.” Bonnie said wiping her tears and laughing.
“That is so weird. Let’s go find Mother. I am freezing.” Jimmy said as he made his way through the crowd who had started singing, ‘Joy to The World’.
Meeting back at the car the two kids carried the bags of toys. Mrs. Godsey opened the trunk. It was full of food and other items. “Okay kids we need to bag all this up into three different bags. Put a boy’s gift and a girl’s gift in each bag and we will fill the rest of the bag with fruit and food. Let’s get busy it is getting late.” The threesome filled each bag and got into the car.
“Mother, can you explain this to us now?” We thought we were going to go to the movie. I don’t think we are going to the movie Bonnie.” Jimmy stated.
“Kids, I want you to realize how blessed you are. You two along with most of your classmates have so much and some people do not. I am not sure you realize the children who will not get anything for Christmas this year. We are going to make sure that doesn’t happen. We are going to be Santa for them. But, you can’t tell anyone we did this. And we are going to have to be very sneaky about it.”
“Oh this sounds like fun.” Bonnie said
“It will be joy. I want you to see how giving really is more blessed than receiving. We are going to ride out to the Pebble community. Mr. Posey’s store is closed this time of the evening and the school is closed until after the New Year. It will be dark but our eyes will adjust. We will visit three different homes. These are the homes of some of my students. We can’t let them see us or hear us. I am going to drive the car to the end of the road and turn the lights off so they don’t see us. Then each of you will take a bag and very quietly sneak up to the porch and place it in front of the door. Then run! Run behind a tree or in a ditch and hide. I’ll be hiding too.”
“Bonnie, this is gonna be neat. Ain’t it, Bonnie? Bonnie are you crying again? GIRLS! What are you crying about now?”Jimmy asked.
“I just feel so sorry for them. I am so glad we are going to help them. I can’t help but cry. I just didn’t realize there were people right here at home that would not get anything for Christmas.” She replied through tears.
“Bonnie, this is exactly why I wanted you to come along with us. We need your help. And you have such a tender heart I knew you would be the perfect one to help. Jimmy, stop teasing her. This will be a Christmas you will never forget because you gave. You will learn tonight why Jesus said, ‘it is more blessed to give than to receive’. Try not to cry for a while. You need to be watching where you are going. I can’t have you falling and getting hurt.” Mrs. Godsey hugged Bonnie and they gathered the bags.
Jimmy shook his head, “Girls! I feel good about giving too, but I aint gonna cry about it.”
“Oh hush, Jimmy. Let’s get going.” Bonnie skipped off in front of him.
Mrs. Godsey followed along behind the pair of twelve year olds. They walked softly toward the first house. There were no lights on outside and all was dark except one lantern burning in the window. The snow had stopped. Silver gray smoke flowed from the chimney and hovered among the trees like a canopy. A huge Oak tree stood strong and tall in the front yard.
“Okay Bonnie, here’s the plan. Sneak to the porch, put the bag down and high tail it back to this tree. They won’t see us behind it. Go” Jimmy ran and Bonnie followed.
In a flash the two had placed the bags on the porch and ran back behind the Oak. Dogs began to bark, chickens scattered and the lantern began to move. The door opened and a young man in overalls stooped down to inspect the bags closer. From their vantage point behind the Oak tree they could see a small Christmas tree in the light of the fireplace. The man smiled, looked back over his shoulder and said, “Kids, Honey, come here. Looks like Santa has been here.”
Two children ran out on the porch in their pajamas and their mother came from the kitchen wiping her hands on her apron. “What in the world? What is it Jeremiah?” The mother could be heard over the giggling of the children and the hearty laughter of the man.
“It is Christmas. It sure is Christmas.” He looked around the yard and then looked up and smiled.
He picked up the two bags and went back into the house with the children jumping and giggling behind him. The door closed but Bonnie and Jimmy could still hear the joy filled laughter coming from the house as the family discovered the food and toys.
“Come on Bonnie. We need to make a run for it before they come out to see who left it.” Bonnie come.. Bonnie.. Are you crying again? Oh good heavens. Come on….. Come on.” Jimmy took her by the arm and ran back to his Mother.
Breathless they reached the car at the same time. Jumping in, getting a breath and talking at the same time they told Mrs. Godsey every detail of the mission.
“And I looked over and Bonnie was crying, again!” Jimmy explained.
“I was not, be quiet. Where are we going next Mrs. Godsey?”
“Just two more houses much like this one. We will do the same thing.”She cranked the car and proceeded down the dirt road.
The next house had more lights on inside so the two elves were more careful in their approach. This time the only place to hide being a ditch. Again they watched as the family realized someone cared. With priceless looks on their faces they knew God had heard and answered their prayers.
The last house was at the end of a long dark dirt road. Mrs. Godsey said, “We are going to leave four bags here. They need food. Jimmy I have two of your old coats in the trunk and two old pair of your shoes. We are going to leave those too. Each of you will have to carry two bags. I can help if you think it will be too much. The Harrington family lives here. Mr. Harrington was killed in the war. Since then Mrs. Harrington has tried to keep the farm going but they won’t be here next year. They are moving out to Texas to live with her family there. She just cannot work the farm and raise two children alone. They have nothing. Their clothes are ragged and worn. At least this will help them until they get with their family.” She leaned against the car and took Jimmy by the shoulders. Facing him she said.
“Jimmy I need to talk to you son. I have put $22.95 in the bottom of one bag. It is what I had planned to spend on your rifle. I can take it out and buy you the rifle or I can leave it in there. It is up to you.”
“Give us each two bags Mother. We can carry them. Come on Bonnie. Let’s be really quiet this time. Bonnie, don’t tell me. You are crying.” Jimmy said as Bonnie hugged him.
“That is so sweet Jimmy. You are going to give up your Christmas present to…..” Before she could finish Jimmy shoved two bags in her arms and said, “Come on, and stop crying. Girls! I don’t know if it is all girls or just you Bonnie.”
They looked at Mrs. Godsey and she had tears flowing too.
“Oh! Come on. You too Mother?” The two began walking toward the house. Jimmy had to stop and blow his nose.
“Catching cold?” Bonnie laughed.
They placed the bags unnoticed and quickly slipped away.
The eight mile drive back home was quiet for a while. Then Mrs. Godsey began to sing, “Silent Night Holy Night” …. The kids joined in joyously aware they just grew up by a leap.
“Look, it is snowing again. I think Jesus is smiling.” Mrs. Godsey exclaimed.
“I do too Mrs. Godsey, I do too.” Bonnie said softly, her heart full of love, thankful for the blessing.
Jimmy looked out the back car window gazing at the snow, he grinned and thought to himself, ‘I really am not going to miss getting the rifle this year.’ He turned around and said, “This is the best Christmas. It truly is better to give. Bonnie, stop crying, pleaseeeeeee.”
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.(Acts 20:35 KJV)
©2008 Angela Posey-Arnold
Christmas 1947 December 11, 2009
A Letter to You from Your Guardian Angel July 23, 2009
A Love Letter
By Angela Posey-Arnold
Greetings to you, my charge, in the name of The Lord our God and Creator Who lovingly assigned me to you. There are just a few things we need to clear up. I suppose it is odd for you to get a letter from me, your Guardian Angel, but I can’t wait any longer to serve this message to you.
I bring glorious good tidings of great joy. It is in my job description. I know you can’t see me but you know I am there. Remember just last week you felt my presence? Yes, that was me, sent by God to comfort and protect you. I am always with you. Possibly you know my work.
I want you to know that I am not in the little golden pin you see on lapels throughout your culture. I am surely not a trumpet toting porcelain figurine on the coffee table.
I am a messenger and a protector for you. Everything I do is by command of God. I am very old according to your standards and I have been there with you through every trail and every joy. I was there to hear your borning cry and I will be there the day you leave earth. I am fascinated with you.
Be confident of the daily care and protection I was created for. You are the reason God sent me. But, make no mistake about it; God is the One worthy of worship. It makes me very uncomfortable when humans set us angels higher than we should be. Your worship and all your love must remain with God lest you be deceived.
Sometimes I ponder as you go about your daily business if you really know me or what it is you think of me. So many years have rolled by and I am concerned that you truly must understand who I am and why God created me. I want you to know God’s truth about angels. God is sovereign, only Him do we worship. You worship Him and I worship Him. I want you to know me because I will be a part of your eternal environment.
I am eternal and I am always pointing you in the right direction-toward God. Remember how we sang when Jesus was born. We were pointing you to Him then.
As an angel I already know the fullness of heaven. Someday, my beloved, you will experience it with me. Angels do God’s perfect will and we do so gladly. You can find everything you need to know about me in God’s Holy Word. Don’t pray to me, pray to Him. And for heaven’s sake don’t set me up as an idol. Talk about uncomfortable—that really gets under my wings. I am just a ministering spirit sent to serve the redeemed.
Some humans see us from time to time and some do not. As wonderful as it would be to be visible in your presence God has given you something better. He has given you the greatest gift of all. His absolute presence through His Holy Spirit.
I am far more involved in your world than you realize. That is why I am writing this letter. I want you to know me and the amazing things God’s Word tells you about me and my kind. Reading and meditating on His Word will bring you closer to Him, and that is what I want for you. His Word has over 300 references to my kind. We know He loves us and created us for a very special purpose.
When you die you will not be an angel. You will still be the redeemed. You will have songs to sing that we can’t sing, but we rejoice with you. Some humans may criticize you for believing in me, but don’t let that worry you one bit. You are in better company than they are.
Oh, and don’t be like those Sadducees. They really were ‘sad you see’. We all know what happened to them and they did not believe in us. We watched as the apostles were brought before the no-such-thing-as-angels crowd. Those Sadducees spurned angels; they also dropped from history within a generation. The imprisoned apostles simply obeyed God’s message delivered by none other than yours truly. They changed history’s course forever.
I love Matthew 25:31 “when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him,” Actually, I can’t wait for this day and we are in constant preparation. You should be too.
In closing, my beloved, remember to worship and pray to God. Only the Creator is worthy of worship, not the created. Prepare for the coming again of your Savior Jesus Christ and listen to the Holy Spirit within you. I will be with you. I think you are wonderful.
Angel kisses from heaven,
Your Guardian Angel
How to Cook a New Fangled Turkey December 24, 2008
How to Cook a New Fangled Turkey
By Angela Posey-Arnold
Sending my husband to Super Wal-Mart seemed like a good idea because I knew they would have turkeys left on Monday. He came home with what appeared to be a nice big fat one!! Ahhhh, the Christmas turkey had officially arrived, only this year, it is my turn to cook it.
I am many things, but a great cook is not one of them. I do try and if you look at my husband, Bear, you will see he is not underfed or undernourished. But, this year the turkey and dressing are my job.
Placing the bird in the fridge to thaw on Monday morning until Tuesday around noon I remained confident of my responsibility to cook the official Christmas turkey. Whoever said a turkey will thaw in there in 24-35 hours is wrong. They do not. This bird had been cryo-preserved somewhere in a biosphere.
I called my Momma cause I knew to cook the turkey yesterday and make the dressing today. After all, it is Christmas Eve.
“Hey Momma. This turkey is still frozen. Now what am I going to do. It is hard as a rock.” I lamented.
“It is okay. You are going to slow cook it anyway. So just take it out of the wrapper and netting and put it in the roaster. Cook it all night, slow cook and it will be falling off the bone in the morning. See, Angela, why I just buy a turkey breast. It is much easier……” She continued
“Ugh, ok. I know I want to do a whole turkey Mother.”
“Ok. Well just cook it. It will be fine. Okay?” she said with such confidence.
“Alrighty then, I better get started. Talk to you later. Later, Love You.” I hung up the phone. I even put on my Grandmother’s apron to really get into it.
Sounds easy don’t it? Just cook the turkey. I thought it sounded easy. I have cooked them before but I have never seen a turkey bird like this one.
Rummaging around in the pots and pans in the back of the pantry, with the help of Bear we found the bottom and the lid of the roasting pan. I washed it carefully as I listened to Bing Crosby croon on my White Christmas CD. Only snow could have made it a more perfect day before Christmas Eve.
Carefully drying the pan I remembered how my Grandmother always put Mason Jar lids in the bottom of the pan to set the turkey up on it. I found some wide mouth Mason Jar rings and carefully placed them in the bottom of the pan. So proud of myself for remembering this little tip.
The turkey proudly sitting on the chopping block in the middle of the kitchen seemed so innocent. Sitting there in all its netting and plastic wrapped so tight I actually think the plastic had some spandex content to it. I took my knife and removed the netting. The plastic more difficult to remove since the turkey stuck frozen to it. I finally successfully removed it, never considering reading any instructions. Besides, a turkey is a turkey, right?
Well, I got the bird out of its array and there it lay in all its splendor, froze stiff. The fowl glistening with ice crystals in tune with the season. Its little feet tied up with little plastic handcuffs. And a big pouch of plastic sticking up out of its, well, its hind part. This is a new thing and by the writing on the plastic frozen packet I discovered it appeared to be some sort of gravy. Knowing my Grandmother never had a plastic bag of gravy stuck in her turkey I decided I did not need this appendage in my turkey either.
As I tried to remove the bag of probably yucky gravy I flat lost control of the bird. It slid off of the table and hit the presents under the Christmas tree on the other side of the kitchen like a bowling ball. It made a strike between packages and took out the dancing Santa.
The turkey firmly still under the tree I crawled under there to retrieve it. It stuck to the Tree Skirt. Working diligently I removed the last strong hold and as I did I promise you the bird flew out of my grip again and flew across the kitchen this time taking out the dog bowl and narrowly missing the dog. Now, not only frozen with red felt stuck to it but it was wet, frozen and had picked up some glitter as well.
I wrestled with it until I just picked the thing up like a baby and threw it in the sink. At least it remained stable and contained. I thought about placing it in the dog’s carrier just to make sure it didn’t get away again.
Washing it with warm water helped the situation. I still needed to get the gravy packet out before I could put the thing to bed in the stove. So, I thought, ‘alright you bird, I will pry it out of you. And maybe in the process I will find the giblets.’ So, I found the trusty sharp K-Bar Marine knife and began to pry the somewhat thawing bag out of the hind part of the active bird. Oopppsss. I poked a hole in the bag and this gravy prematurely came ooozzing out of the bag. I called Momma.
She told me she too had never seen a gravy bag in this part of the bird. And I should just get it out and cook it. I let it sit, hoping the bird would stay put for 30 minutes. I finally got that blasted gravy bag out and threw it in the garbage. Good Grief—whoever thought of putting that there did not carefully consider the southern woman who cooks her own giblet gravy. After all, my Mother and her mother before her did. Who am I to break such a trend?
With the gravy bag out I began a cavity search to find the giblets. They were not in there. I stuck my whole arm down in the bird and there were not giblets to be found. Wiping my hands on my vintage inherited apron I did not know how I could possibly make proper giblet gravy without the giblets. I do not know where this bird lived and died but it would be hard to convince me that it lived and died south of the Mason Dixon line. No southerner in their right mind would have taken the giblets. I mean, what did they do with them? I needed them.
Oh well. No giblets. I just had to live with it. The turkey now sufficiently sanitary enough to cook but still frozen hard as a rock I put it in the oven and took a nap. Exhausted from all the activity of chasing a turkey all over the kitchen I could rest for a while. As I fell asleep I thought about the women of old who had to de-feather and all of that yucky stuff. Feeling pretty good about my accomplishment I woke and called Momma back and told her the bird had landed.
I only burned my hand once while basting the bird. It will heal in a few months.
Upon awaking this morning I could smell the aroma of a slow cooked turkey. Oh!! I had done well, worth all the harrowing experiences of the day before!! Yeah me.
While waiting on my first cup of coffee, I removed the roasting pan from the oven and carefully set it on the kitchen counter. When I opened it there inside lay a beautifully cooked, perfectly browned, complete Christmas turkey bird.
I noticed a white apparatus peeking out from the area where the head of the turkey had once resided. With a fork I removed a paper bag. I found the giblets. They were in the wrong end.
Today, I will attempt to make dressing. Not stuffing, thank goodness we do not stuff turkeys in Alabama. Trying to stuff a bird as hyper as this one might get someone hurt. We eat dressing and it is made from cornbread. I can do cornbread. So, I am feeling okay about this endeavor today.
So, glad I found the giblets.
Merry Christmas
©Angela Posey-Arnold 2008
The “W” in Christmas December 19, 2008
I received this short story by email with no author credentials. This is the first in a series of blogs I will be doing on Christmas. Where I live we still have Christmas parades, pagents, festivals, open house, Christmas Choirs sing praise to Christ the King. Christmas trees are sold, cut down from pastures, decorated and watered everyday. Christmas lights line the streets, highways and byways. Where I live Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus. I thank God for the Nativity Scene on the courthouse lawn. I thank God for Christmas still being Christmas where I live.
I hope you enjoy this short story. It explains the reason for the season. If you don’t know Jesus, you can. He is waiting to love you more than you love Him. Just believe, admit your need for Him and then tell another Christian–they will help you with your journey. You’ll never be the same because Jesus is love. Pure, plain, simple, awesome beyond understanding LOVE!!
I received this by email. I do not know the author or I would give them credit.
Happy Holy Days and Merry Christmas
The “W” in Christmas
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.
Watch for the Answer December 10, 2008
Watch For the Answer
By Angela Posey-Arnold
“………Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.” (Matthew 6:2-3 The Message)
Pray—just do it. How do you talk to Jesus? Someone asked me one day how I knew Jesus was real? I replied, “Because I just talked to Him 15 minutes ago.”
The person asking me the question did not understand because she did not know Jesus. It is hard to talk to someone who you don’t believe is there.
Prayer is a conversation with Him. Sometimes it is solemn and staid, other times it is just talking things over with Him. This last Saturday night when I crawled into bed to get warm I began a conversation with Jesus. Amidst the praise, thanks and petitions I talked about how much Grandmother loved the song, How Great Thou Art.
I said, “Remember how she loved to hear me play it on the piano, even when I was just learning to play? I think I will play it tomorrow night at Church for the offertory. It is such a pretty song and the words are so powerful. Too bad no body sings when I play the offertory. That is okay I suppose, most people know the words, don’t they?”
I fell asleep before I finished completely. I used to feel really bad when I would fall asleep praying. Then one day a still small voice said, “it is okay Angela. What better way to fall asleep?”
Arising early on a cool fall Sabbath morning I stretched and thanked Him for the night’s sleep. I love Sundays. It is my favorite day and I look forward to the Sabbath Day all week.
“Momma and Daddy are coming, I said to my husband. “So we need to be at Church about ten minutes early to introduce them to folks.”
We arrived to Church at the same time my parents did. It is a rare occasion to have my parents with me at church so I was excited to introduce them to my sisters, brothers, pastor and church family whom I have grown to love over the last year while serving as the pianist.
I quickly settled them into a seat with my husband and friends and scurried off to pre-service choir practice. Our minister of music was absent. He always picks the hymns and gives them to me and the organist on a sticky note. In his place one of the deacons had picked the songs, he handed me a piece of paper with the hymns on it. I was talking to someone and did not even look at the hymns. I put the paper on the piano bench as I passed by, still talking to a friend.
As service begins I walk in first and the choir follows me. The pastor is in the pulpit reading the annoucements when we come in. I sat down at the piano and looked at the sticky note. For the greeting song he had picked Allelujah, a nice greeting chorus. The first hymn he picked was page number 10—How Great Thou Art. Okay let me say that again, the deacon picked the song, How Great Thou Art.
My heart lifted, my soul smiled, I smiled. Jesus just affirmed He heard my prayer. The little things like this that He does is where the peace that passeth all understanding comes from. I knew He enjoyed our conversation the night before. Standing up and shouting for joy is what I wanted to do—but it is hard to play the piano and do that.
We sang all four choruses, each line fostering increasing crescendos of elation and thrill for me. The voices singing in enhanced harmony and accord. What beauty filled me to overflowing. I have never played the song like that before. When I finished, I thought, ‘how did I do that?’ I knew, I didn’t.
I needed the song, the words, the encouagement, the comfort. The congregation needed it too. We all did. And Grandmother, well I don’t know how, but somehow she did too. And Jesus provided the soothing confirmation of hearing my prayer and loving me.
HOW GREAT THOU ART
O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: “My God, how great Thou art!”
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
words & music by Carl G. Boberg and R.J. Hughes
Maybe you needed it too.
Just do it. Just talk to Him. He hears and answers the prayers of His children. Quietly and unobtrusively, He works behind the scenes and helps you out. He really does.
Lord, Thank You. I Love You. In Jesus Name. Amen
©Angela Posey-Arnold 2008
Holiday Baking–this is so cool!!! October 25, 2008
Just click on the name of the cake and bam the recipe appears!
‘Night Before Christmas’ Coffee Cake ‘Real New York Style’ Cheesecake Supreme
A Cake That’s Fit For A Queen Amaretto Italian Sour Cream Cake Amazing Tropical Fruit Cake
Apple and Nut Cake Apple Cake Apple Cake
Apple Sauce Cake Applesauce Fruitcake Apricot Nectar Pound Cake
Baby Cheescakes Baby Cheesecakes Banana Cake Barron Family Cheesecake
Baumtorte (Tree Cake) Becky’s Pumpkin Cupcakes Blueberry Swirl Cheesecake
Blueberry Swirl Cheesecake Broken Angel Cake With Chocolate Chips Candied Fruit Cake
Carmel Coffee Cake Carrot Cake with Hot Glaze Carrot-Pineapple Cake
Cherry Cake Cherry Cake Sauce Cherry Cheesecake Cups
Cherry-Pineapple Dump Cake Chocolate Angel Food Chocolate Browny Cake
Chocolate Chip Muffins Chocolate Cookie Sheet Cake Chocolat e ?clair Cake
Chocolate Ice Box Dessert Chocolate Logs Chocolate Lovers Heaven Triple Threat Chocolate Di
Chocolate Sheet Cake Chocolate welington fudge pudding Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate Chip Cake
Christmas Cake Christmas choclate cake Christmas Mixed Glace Fruit Loaf
Christmas-Comes-But-Once-A-Year-Chocolate Cake Cinnamon Morning Delight Coca-Cola Cake
Coconut Cake Cookie Pizza
Cream Cheese Icing
Cream Cheese Pound Cake Cream Puff Cake Creamy Chocolate Cupcakes
Creamy Chocolate Layered Cake Decadent Chocolate Cake Decadent Fudge Cake
Deluxe Chocolate Marshmallow Bars Dream Cake Dreamcicle Cake
Drizzle Cake Earthquake Cake Easy Cocoa Snack Cake
Easy Coconut Cake ?clair Cake Edie Ching’s Cherry Cheesecake
Eggnog Cake Extra Moist Coconut Cakes Festive Pumpkin Gingerbread
Flower Garden Cake Fruit Cake Fruit Cocktail Cake
German Chocolate Upside-Down Cake Golden Bacardi Rum Cake Gooey Butter Cake
Gum drop cake Heavenly Pecan Cake Hedge Hog Cake
Holiday Cake Holiday Poke Cake Holiday Rum Cake
Honey Bun Cake Honey Cake Hot Fudge Pudding Cake
Hummingbird Cake Ice-Cream Chocolate Roll Jewish Apple Cake
Johnny Appleseed Cake Lemon Cake Lemon Poppyseed Cakes
Lemon Pound Cake Linda’s Yule Log Mama’s Homemade Banana Cake
Mandy’s Cake Microwave Scottish Pudding Mini Fruitcakes
Miniature Cheesecakes Mississippi Fudge Cake Mississippi Mud
Mock Lemon Meringue Cake Neiman Marcus Cake No Bake Fruit Cake
Norwegian Gold Cake Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cake Old Fashion Pound Cake
Old Fashioned Light Fruitcake Orange Date-Nut Cake Orange Slice Cake
Oreo Cheesecake Peanut-Topped Devil’s Food Pecan Icing
Pennsylvania Dutch Pastry Pineapple Heaven Plum-Nut Cake
Pound Cake Pound Cake Pumpkin Cake Roll Pumpkin Cheesecake
Pumpkin log Pumpkin Nut Roll Pumpkin Pie Cake
Pumpkin Roll Queen’s Cake Red Velvet Cake
Reese`s white cake Reese’s Brownie Cupcakes Refrigerator Chocolate Cheesecake
Russian Tea Cakes Russian Teacakes Santa’s Breakfast Cake
Self-Filled Cupcakes Shirley’s Chocolate Sheet Cake Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Sour Cream Pound Cake Southern Apple Cake Swedish Nut Cake
Tiny Christmas Fruitcakes Toll House Carrot Cake Triple Chocolate Torte
Turtle Bars Turtle Cake Warcake
Watergate Cake White Christmas Loaf World War I Cake
World War II Cake
