Good Morning,
I just filled my cup with Door County Jingle Bell Java Coffee and I am sipping it slowly to enjoy it much better.
I was thinking about an old friend I went to high school with back in 1973. We were looking forward to the Christmas break and being away from school for 10 days. I mentioned to him that I was looking forward to being with my family near and far. He then said to me. "I wish I could look forward to some nice traditions with my family. I hate Christmas!"
I asked him why he was against Christmas and he didn't hesitate to unload his feelings. "My dad just uses Christmas to get sloppy drunk, and then he starts in on us kids and then my mother. I never know if the police will be coming to our door to break up the arguing or take my dad to jail. My older sibling sneaks out of the house and spends the holiday with friends and their parents. I am left to console my mother who always says she will leave my dad but never does. Last year I ate peanut butter and jelly for Christmas dinner. My mother worked and my dad, well I don't really know where he was. Just once I would like a Christmas tree that doesn't get thrown out on to the lawn. I don't even want any Christmas presents. The present I want is to have peace in the family which includes a sober dad."
I did not know what to say to him. I asked him if he would like to come over and eat and spend Christmas with me and my family. My dad always welcomed our friends to our table. I knew it would be ok to ask my friend to come to our home. I left the invitation open and said, you know where we live and this is when we will be eating.
He did not show up Christmas Eve nor Christmas Day. My mother packed a couple plates of food and cookies and on Christmas day I went to look for him. I found him asleep in the family car. He was covered in blankets. I knocked on the window and woke him up. We started the car and just talked while he ate. "I can't believe you came to look for me on Christmas Day. This is the best Christmas food I have ever eaten." was his comment.
The lesson isn't about reaching out to others who are suffering through Christmas. This message is for that person who just always ruins Christmas or other occasions by getting drunk or high. The person who can start an argument that cause everyone to dread the holidays or birthdays in the year.
The best Christmas present you could give yourself or others is to seek God for a new beginning.
Psalm51:10-12 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Give yourself and your family the gift of peace that only God can bring. It's time for a new beginning.
Marty
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