Christmas--To Give and Receive With True Love and Joy
Posted: Thursday, December 04, 2008
by Sandra E. Graham
My Books and Articles
"That was my old coat!" The fourth grader sneered loudly for all to hear as the little girl pulled the ragged coat tighter around her small frame and seemed to physically shrink in the presence of all the other kid's watchful eyes. Turning her back on her classmates, she walked to her seat and still holding tightly to the coat, she sat down and stared straight ahead without a word. As the teacher began the day's lesson, the little girl's attention wandered to the window and she became lost in day dreams of last week's Christmas Holidays…..
Tree decorations were improvised-popped corn on a string, colored paper dolls and balls, aluminum foil airplanes and chains, colored tissue flowers. But to little eyes, nothing was more beautiful than this Christmas tree. The true meaning of Christmas glows in the eyes of the children. No monetary value is placed on the homemade ornaments and gifts under the tree.
The cold house held no concern on this Christmas morning for eight rowdy kids focused only on the Christmas tree and what lay beneath it. Nor did they worry their little heads over the fact that all the gifts came from the local Baptist Church and were donated from the better off neighbor's garages and attics.
The little girl tore away the newspaper wrapping and the string bow to find a beautiful-only slightly used-coat that fit perfectly if she rolled up the sleeves and over-lapped the front. The soft furry feel of the coat made her smile as she rubbed it against her cheek and smoothed it with her tiny hands. Another package revealed three books with only slightly torn covers, but pages full of colorful picture stories that didn't fail to light up the little girl's eyes.
Of all my past Christmases I think that one Christmas in that little country house will be the one that stays in my mind. For that is the Christmas that held the one true meaning of Christmas-to give and receive with true love and joy. Even a child's harsh words couldn't take away the joy and pride I felt in the new coat that Santa had placed under my tree that Christmas Eve.
May God be with you and yours this Christmas.
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Sandra E. Graham, author, AMOS JAKEY and NICOLINA published by American Book Publishing. I also write book reviews for authors through Book Pleasures. Visit my website for more information on my books that are in print now and reviews I have written.
http://www.sandragraham-articles-books.com
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More commentsThe Simplicity of what used to qualify as 'joy' at Christmas" sadly seems lacking these days, this was a pleasant little reminder.Thanks, Julian. Merry Christmas to you and welcome to SearchWarp.Sandra
You are so beautiful. Thank you, Sandra, for sharing this story. Made my eyes well up with tears...and my heart sing.Thank you so much, Camille. I'm so glad you enjoyed the little Christmas article.Best to you.Sandra
Hello Grandma,The minute I started to read this story, I knew it was you who experienced this in person. Your story made me go back to my own years on the farm during WWII and in the boyshome later and you brought these memories back to me.Have a wonderful Christmas and may all the best come your way in the new year.OlofOh, Olof, it is so very good to hear from you. I was just thinking about you a few minutes ago and wondering how you were doing. Thank you so much for reading and commenting on my little Christmas article, and yes, it was me. We had many slim Christmases when I was growing up, but we had a house full of love.Thanks and God Bless you.Sandra (Grannie)
Sandra,As always you have tugged on the heartstrings and brought truth to your readers. Blessings to you always,StarThanks so much, Star. May you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.Sandra
Sandra,That was a very touching story. My family received Christmas gifts from our church when my father died. There were 7 children in our family and we would not have had a Christmas if not for the generosity of others.I hope you have a very merry Christmas.Marilyn RobertsChristmas has a way of bringing out the best in people.Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.Sandra
Sandra, what a wonderfully written Christmas story. And I can truly tell that you have been there and done that. I well remember when we exchanged used items for gifts even at the school party. But those small used items were received more graciously than new gifts nowadays costing two or three hundred dollars. Thanks for the memories.Thanks, Joel. It does seem that more and more, people are getting back to the true meaning of Christmas.Thanks for reading and commenting and have a wonderful Holiday.Sandra
A very beautiful message with of how to live and experience the unconditional love that children have.. Your wordsas usual have the ability to lift ones spirits and make us thankful just to kn ow you. A masterpiece!Love ya and hope to see you soon,Nancy GreenThanks so much, Nancy. So good to hear from you again.Best Wishes.Sandra
Thank you, Sandra. You took me back to a simpler time. I can still feel the chill of the floor contrasted with the heat coming from an open oven- trying to talk mom into letting us stay home from school.Oh, how well I remember those cold days--not wanting to have to walk down to the end of the road (about a quarter mile) to catch the school bus!Thanks for reading and commenting, Ken.Have a good week.Sandra
Sandra, this one took us back to simpler yet in many ways better times. It tugs at the heartstrings but even more leaves us wanting to be a better person.Thanks for the lesson.John BrazellThanks so much, John, for reading and commenting.Have a good week.Sandra
Simpler times of Christmas of the past...Thanks so much, Dominique, for reading and commenting.Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.Sandra
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