DECK THE HALLS
“Deck the halls with poison ivy, fah-lah-lah-lah-lahhhh-lau-lau-lau-lau.” We’d snicker at our childish humor feeling pretty full of ourselves for no good reason. Even now and then, I struggle to grasp how a song, that sounds like someone used unintelligent ramblings to fill in a chorus temporarily and it just stuck, got to be so popular.This season has a lot of those type of passed down traditions. The biggest, or at least the most popular tradition of this Christmas season is the one of gift giving. As a kid I didn’t think the grown ups were lying to us, I just didn’t believe everything they said. I mean, I knew Santa Claus wasn’t real and if that was a fairy tale then who’s to say that the old Bible verse wasn’t either?
After all, at face value, even for us grown ups now, it doesn’t make sense to our sensibility at first; “Tis better to give than to receive.” Huh? Better to give than to get? Really? We listened respectfully not really buying into the hoopla of selflessness and sacrifice. We just kept our mouths shut, for the most part, and did what we had to do to get our grubby little paws on some presents when the magical time came for it.
If “difficult” is a good word to describe what it was for my dad to get my siblings and me up for church on Sundays, then we were the polar opposite on that one day of the year on Christmas. We were up and at ’em while the sun was still hours away from rolling around to our side of the globe.
Unfortunately for the impatient kids there was still yet one more tradition in between us and heaven on earth in those finely wrapped packages under the dying Christmas tree; the reading of the Good Book.
It didn’t matter that we could almost recite Luke chapter two by heart. My dad would break out that little black and tattered King James Bible, flip over to the third Gospel and say a prayer of thanks before beginning to read, “And it came to pass in those days…”
It’s peculiar, I recall some pretty good presents. The best present and thee absolute most shocking surprise was the one Christmas my mom and dad got me a red stingray with a sissy bar that rivaled the Tower of Babel. They never got much from us or each other… but I recall pure joy from them.
The adults were right of course. It takes some time to put away the foolishness of being a kid, Paul even says so. I can recall some of the gifts, but nothing touches my heart like the love I now recall in hindsight.
They were right about the giving and getting thing too. I guess it’s a pretty safe bet to quote the Savior of our souls and count on it and His sacrifice for eternity. Although the kids are older now, I still can’t wait to see the look on their faces this year. They’re gonna be shocked.
Merry Christmas to you, my friends. I pray you find peace from God above this season as we celebrate His Gift. May we deck the halls of our hearts in honor of Him.
“Fah-lau-lau-lau-lauuuu-lau-lau-lau-lau”.
Ed
Sunday, December 20, 2015 @ 10:33 pm
Sometimes I can imagine the joy our parents recieved when they saw our expressions as we opened our gifts. Then as we grew older the joy was still there, despite the fact that they had to now assemble the pieces of whatever they got us.
But I’m sure those are still good memories. Merry Christmas Brother!
Cheryl Smith
Monday, December 21, 2015 @ 2:28 am
Ah! It is so sweet to recollect on those childhood Christmases! You are right…the thing I remember most is the love. It was never about the gifts, although we didn’t realize it then. It was more the feeling…of security when Mom and Dad were around, the gentle warmth that Christmas brought to our hearts no matter what was going on in our lives, and the love…that Jesus brought that first Christmas day. Thank you, Floyd, for being such a blessing in my life, for the constant encouragement you are to me and to so many others, and for sharing your kind heart here with us. Your writing and presence here in blogland is a true gift of God to us all, and I am so thankful to walk this blogging journey with you. May the dear Lord bless you and your family with a very Merry Christmas, and I look forward to seeing how God will use you in the new year! 🙂
Diane
Monday, December 21, 2015 @ 2:48 am
Our gift-giving, as well, never took place until the Gospel was read. It was our way of keeping the true meaning of our celebration in the forefront. This is a beautiful post!
A blessed Christmas celebration to you and your family, Floyd!
Pam
Monday, December 21, 2015 @ 5:42 am
And a Merry Christmas to you, Floyd. The other day my grandson and I were texting and he said, “I’d be okay if I got nothing for Christmas. I never need anything. I like having the days off though, and to spend time with the family.” This from a 14 year old! Out of the mouth of babes!
Lisa notes
Monday, December 21, 2015 @ 7:57 am
The whole getting and giving thing gets blurred in my mind. Part of the giving is that we “get” satisfaction in return, from seeing the faces of the receiver. And vice-versa. We give our gratitude after receiving a gift. It’s a circle. ha. It’s cool that you remember that bike. I *remember* gifts mainly from seeing photos of them. 🙂 Like my “Dark Shadows” game—not sure why I liked that one! ha.
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Floyd!!! Enjoy both the getting and giving.
Sharon
Monday, December 21, 2015 @ 11:00 am
I can also remember a few *perfect* gifts that I got from my parents. (Dream Kitchen, Zippy the monkey). Something I wanted so very much, and constantly nagged them (Mom) about. And then, when I unwrapped the treasured gift, my joy was overwhelming. Perhaps it is those childlike feelings that God wants us to have about His Gift – His Son. The great sense that it is the very best present we have ever received (for it truly is), and our joy is now complete. I love giving gifts, but perhaps the best gift I can give is passing on the Truth of grace-full salvation.
Gifts are but things, unless we factor in the heart of the giver. And the heart of The Giver is the essence of all things CHRISTmas…
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Floyd, and GOD BLESS!
Betty Draper
Monday, December 21, 2015 @ 11:59 am
This is a blessed year for us as God has worked it out for both our children and their children to be with us in Southern California. Merry Christmas to you and yours brother.
Chuck Allen
Monday, December 21, 2015 @ 1:40 pm
Merry Christmas, Floyd! Thanks for giving us the gift of your words throughout the year.
Barb Raveling
Monday, December 21, 2015 @ 4:00 pm
We also used to read the Christmas story before opening presents. When our kids were little, they acted it out with puppets made out of toilet paper rolls. One kid would read the story from the inside of a big refrigerator box with a hole cut in the top for the puppets to pop out of. Every time a different person in the Christmas story appeared, a new puppet would pop up out of the top of the box, manned by the four little kids inside the box. I wish we could go back to those days just for a few moments from time to time. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas, Floyd.
Hazel Moon
Monday, December 21, 2015 @ 5:11 pm
That was a fun song along with Christmas Bells and Traveling Through the Snow. I can remember my Grandpa reading the Christmas story when we went to the Valley for Christmas. We usually got one fun toy and the rest were practical clothing items. New PJs, new socks, new sweater, and maybe a new coat. We are so blessed, all I need this year is my family and a nice time when we sit to eat dinner at Becky and Dennis’s as Denny is doing the cooking this year. We will contribute some items, of course. Thank you Floyd for another great memory time that stirs our hearts. Thanks for sharing at Tell me a Story.
Bill (cycleguy)
Tuesday, December 22, 2015 @ 5:38 am
Merry Christmas my friend. See you in 2016 unless He returns first. In that case, I’ll see you in heaven (and I might have hair like yours).
Audra Krell
Tuesday, December 22, 2015 @ 9:26 am
Love this beautiful vision you’ve cast of your Dad reading the Bible. Your writing is a gift for me as always! Merry Christmas to you and yours Floyd! Every blessing for a beautiful new year!
Joanne Norton
Tuesday, December 22, 2015 @ 1:09 pm
I sure LOVED seeing this picture. AND, when you were mentioning your Dad, etc., I lived on King James Bible for many years, and now, since ’80 I’ve read another challenging one … The Amplified Bible… and I’ve read a lot of others. All I can focus on is the Word that is used in the right time in the right way. The Lord is “IT”. And, focusing on Christmas is a huge blessing and I’m hoping more and more people will truly come to the Lord. Bless you. You are a special “God-gift” for me, Brother, whether in Christmas time or any other timing. 😉
Dolly@Soulstops
Tuesday, December 22, 2015 @ 3:15 pm
Floyd,
What wonderful memories and what a gorgeous tree. And yes, so much more joy in the giving and in the receiving when I think of what Christ has given us…such grace. Wishing you and yours much joy this Christmas 🙂
saleslady371
Wednesday, December 23, 2015 @ 8:09 pm
That tree is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing your Christmas memories as a kid. I enjoy hearing the different ways gift giving is celebrated in the home. I receive your prayer and the peace Jesus gives! It’s all about Him. Merry Christmas to you and your family.