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Christmas Day 1945-2009
Some of my wooden soldiers are missing. My father gave away those highly decorated soldiers on Christmas morning, 1945. I remember, with pain, my first lesson in sharing.
On that Christmas morning we children were opening our gifts in the splendor that parents seem to create on Christmas morning. A knock came at the door, and I could see our neighbors Wayne and Kate standing on the porch looking through the frost-coated window.
“Come on in,” bellowed my father. “Come and join us.” Two neighborhood children had interrupted our extravaganza. “Hey Wayne,” I yelled, “What did you get for Christmas?” In a very quiet voice came the reply from Wayne, “Nothing. Santa lost his way and missed our house.”
The festive room suddenly became quiet. All of us realized that our visitors had missed Christmas gifts of their own. We all knew their family was struggling to survive. The father had abandoned the home many years before. The mother was trying desperately hard to keep her family together. There was nothing left for the extras of Christmas.
My father broke his silence. “Hey kids, Santa did get lost and left your gifts at our house.” I knew instantly that some of my soldiers were going to sleep in another home that night. Without another word, my parents started picking their way through some of our gifts and handing them to Wayne and Kate.
The joy and laughter in their faces will always remain in my memory. I found it hard to understand everything at the time, but my father explained everything later in the day. On my tenth Christmas I discovered the meaning of sharing.
I really don’t know where Wayne and Kate are today, but I’ll never forget my father’s love and my mother’s grace so many years ago. At Christmas we share the good news by the giving of gifts. The shepherds brought their sheep to the manger and the wise men brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. What gifts will we give this Christmas to celebrate God’s gift of himself to us?
I wrote this meditation for the Upper Room Magazine back in 1973. My own children have drawn the article to my attention throughout the years. At Christmas we share the good news by the giving of gifts-the greatest of which is ourselves.
I wish for you a magnificent Christmas. May God fill your life with love and purpose.
Dr. Doug Miller, Barryville United Methodist Church
