RRN Online Volume 341

December 14 '02

Volume 341

Christmas Memories Prepare For A Surprise

Each year as the Peace On Earth Holiday Season approaches and I appeal to folks for Christmas memories, I am surprised by the results. It seems not everyone has a childhood Christmas memory, or so I am told. Others, like myself, have already shared the bulk of their memories in prior Christmas seasons of this newsletter. Nonetheless, each year, other memories are recalled, and while they don't always "pour in," those that do arrive are graciously accepted and appreciated.

One year, I shared a brief memory in which Terry Maxey told of Santa leaving an orange at his house. Terry no longer lives in Pontotoc. I lost track of him for a few years, but this year his youngest son gave me Terry's business card that contained an email address.

When I solicited another memory from Terry, he replied, "Yes, I do have others. Some of the most memorable are those in Pontotoc at our home on Damuth Mountain.

A few times it snowed, and the area was beautiful. To go outside and look up into the heavens and read the Christmas story from Luke to my family were the most important Christmases of my life.

As we all grow older these are the times we remember the best."

Terry's house was not on a mountain, but around Pontotoc, most any "high place" qualifies. I'm pleased to share Terry's memory for in it's brevity it embodies several elements associated with the Christmas Season, home, snow, the birth of Christ, and the importance of family. The details of the memory are missing, but each reader is free to fill them in with his or her own thoughts.

I chose to incorporate someone's Christmas Memory into this opening article to illustrate how I'm surprised by the results of my solicitation, and to explain that submissions need not be lengthy to be appreciated.

I have also been surprised by the variety of memories received this year. In both this issue and the one to follow, I believe readers will be surprised as well. Having stated the obvious, make yourself a cup of hot chocolate, spiced tea, coffee, or whatever warms your heart, throw another log on the fire, settle in your favorite chair, and allow yourself to be surprised (pleasantly so) by what you read.

Christmas at Granddads By Mitzi Jackson

Christmas at my Granddaddy Judson Morris's house was almost more than this child could take in. The old house was the backdrop for wonderful festivities. I can remember Granddaddy going to the woods and bringing back a cedar tree that always touched the 12-ft. ceiling of the parlor.

All of the Christmas scents that folks try to make real now just can't do justice to the aroma of that tree. My sister and I were always involved in the decorating process. The tree would begin to come to life with multi-colored lights, ornaments of that time, along with silver icicles and "angel hair." My sister, Jeaninne, wanted each icicle to be hung "with care." I would become bored with the time being "wasted" so when she was not looking I took care of the job in my own manner. Of course, I was always caught. Tiny packages with real gifts inside were carefully tied to the tree.

In the parlor was an old-fashioned pump organ. On one particular Christmas Eve a peek through the door (before we were allowed entrance for "the" celebration) revealed a plump and jolly Santa sitting on the organ stool. Shall I say, excitement ran high?

My Dad, Dewey Morris and his sister, Eula Mae Morris McFerrin, were the only children of Judson and Mary Lee Sims Morris. Daddy's four children were always there along with all the in-laws of my brother. (He was 19 and married when I was born.) My Aunt Eula's children plus their spouses were there. My favorite cousin, John Morris McFerrin, was always there to aggravate this young cousin with his talents of turning his eyelids inside out. It was a time when young cousins could sit out in the car and listen to the radio with no thought or fear of sexual abuse.

I must not skip over the Christmas "goodies" . . . Now, I was most interested in the desserts but the adults liked the ham that had boiled in a big black pot for days before the festivities. On to the desserts - there were pies and cakes of every description that lined a long table along the wall in the dining room (former dog trot). Were there really that many desserts or am I remembering through the eyes of a child? I choose to think there were that many. There were also chocolate drops and orange slices that Granddaddy Judson kept in the chifforobe throughout the year for a small girl.

The excitement built to a high pitch beginning early on the afternoon of Christmas Eve. FINALLY, Granddaddy would allow everybody into the parlor complete with Santa. Granddaddy would give his "annual speech" about how pleased he was that everybody was there and this would probably be his and Leesy's last Christmas.

Gifts were FINALLY exchanged and happiness and laughter must have oozed out of the old home place in Mantachie, Mississippi. Granddaddy gave each child a bright and shining, new silver dollar. My memories of that time, place, and family is priceless. Granddaddy is still giving me a gift this Christmas as I remember . . . I wish I could do that for my grandchildren, Robert and Mary Morris Jackson . . ."

Mitzi and her husband Bob Jackson make their home in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Stork-less Christmas By Shirley Lowry

One of my Christmas memories from many years ago (I was about six years old) was the one when I wrote Santa a letter asking him to please bring me a baby brother or baby sister. Back then we didn't learn about the 'birds and the bees' as early as they seem to now. Since I was an only child, I longed for a brother or sister, and I wanted Santa to bring me one for Christmas.

On Christmas morning I very excitedly ran to look under the Christmas tree. Sure enough, there under the tree was this great big box all wrapped up that I just knew held my baby brother or sister with all the necessary clothes for him or her. I couldn't open the box fast enough...but, imagine my disappointment when I saw that the big box contained a nice student desk and chair for me to use in the first grade.

I tried to hide my sad feelings for I didn't want my parents to tell Santa how disappointed I was because he brought me an 'ol desk and chair' rather than what I really wanted. It wasn't until many years later that I told my parents about this and admitted to them that I never really cared for the desk and chair."

Shirley and her husband Carl Lowry reside in Pontotoc, MS.

Christmas 1945 That Terrible Christmas

In the 1940's most 7-year-olds believed in Santa Claus. So did I. In Forest, MS, it was 1945. It wasn't easy being an only child during those years when most couples had large families. I was fortunate to have wonderful cousins who served as substitute siblings, though I still longed for a brother or sister.

Three amazing events affected us in 1945. On May 8, V-E Day (victory over Europe) marked the end of the war in Europe. On August 14, V-J Day (victory over Japan) marked the end of the war in the Pacific. In June, Mother told me she was pregnant.

She'd didn't come right out and say I'm pregnant. Never in a million years would parents say "pregnant" in front of children. That was a delicate subject that they weren't prepared to broach.

Mother crocheted booties, caps, and sweaters. I made chains out of construction paper, cut out paper dolls and drew pictures of babies, all for decorating the baby's room.

By mid-December preparations were complete, including baby presents under the tree. That was the night Mother got sick. They took her in an ambulance to the hospital in Jackson. When it was over, I stood at the graveside service on a cloudy, wintry afternoon and watched two pallbearers place the white satin casket atop an aperture covered with fake green grass.

As any child would, I asked to see my brother. Someone opened both ends of the coffin. Lo and behold, there were twin boys.

Afterwards, Daddy went back to the hospital, but not before he told me that Mother was too sick to come home for Christmas. She had developed phlebitis, a serious illness in those days. I just knew she would die too.

Not only did I lose my brothers, but in my mind I'd lost Mother and Daddy and Christmas too. I stayed with my grandparents on Mother's side of the family. They tried to console me as best they could.

Those were the darkest days of my entire life. Even as I look back this December, 2002, the memory is still so hurtful that I can't dwell on it for more than a few minutes.

As Christmas approached, my grandparents assured me that Santa Claus would not forget me. I didn't care. All I wanted was my mother. Hospital restrictions kept me from visiting her.

On Christmas Eve all my cousins acne, but I sat alone in a rocking chair and rocked myself to sleep.

The next morning I peeked in the living room and the floor was empty around the tree. I turned to leave and saw Daddy in the doorway. He picked me up in his arms, hugged me and walked down the hall into the spare bedroom.

Lo and behold! Mother was propped up in bed. Toys were arranged neatly around her¾ though I never saw them. All I wanted was my mom.

Over the years my relatives refer to 1945 as that terrible Christmas, but for me it was my best. When you're 7 years old, the greatest gift is your mother.

Previously published by "Today In Mississippi," December 2002. Reprinted here by special permission from Kay Grafe. Kay and her husband Ray reside in Lucedale, MS.

Christmas Dreams A Time Of Dreams Fulfilled

The birth of Jesus Christ is still my favorite Christmas story.

September 24, 2OO1: I flipped open my Bible this morning to Matthew 1:17, which summarizes the ‘begetting’ list, verses 1-16. While Mary’s ancestral history is traced to David in the first chapter of Luke, this list of Jesus’ lineage in Matthew traces the roots of Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father, back to David.

I have had several dreams lately that are pertinent to my new life hidden in Christ. The following verses reinforce my thought that dreams are relevant to God’s prophecies-yesterday and today. God speaks to us in many ways. If we are willing to accept it, God might use dreams as instruments for guidance, warning or foretelling. Joseph and the Magi were willing to accept dreams as a divine message from God, and so, God used them to deliver the infant Savior from the world’s evil.

The following is merely an outline of something that might be easily overlooked in the Christmas story. God’s soft communication, through dreams, was given to His chosen vessels, among those, Joseph, and the Magi, to protect our Messiah during His birth and childhood.

Dreams During the Birth and Early Years of Jesus Christ

Matthew 1: 20-23.

Joseph’s first dream: An angel appears, giving guidance and instruction to Joseph about taking the Virgin Mary for his wife, because she had been impregnated by the Holy Spirit.

In the dream, the angel tells Joseph the gender of the child, that Joseph is to name the child Jesus, and then describes the earthly mission of Jesus. It also appears that the angel explained the prophecies of Isaiah to Joseph.

Instead of quietly divorcing Mary, as he had originally planned when he found she was pregnant, Joseph woke up and followed the instruction given in the dream, a command from an angel of the Lord.

Matthew 2: 12.

The Magi’s dream: The Magi, after seeing the infant Jesus, are warned in a dream, (a collective dream?), not to return to Herod in Jerusalem with the infant Savior’s whereabouts, as the dangerous king had requested, but instead to return home by another route.

Matthew 2:13.

Joseph’s second dream: After the Magi leave, Joseph is instructed by an angel of the Lord to leave Bethlehem immediately, and go to Egypt, thus, once again, protecting Jesus from Herod who was soon to murder every male child 2 years of age or younger.

Matthew 2: 19.

Joseph’s third dream: After Herod and those who searched to kill Jesus are dead, Joseph is instructed to leave Egypt and return to Israel. The exodus of Joseph and his family from Egypt fulfills the prophecy of Hosea.

Matthew 2:22-23.

Joseph’s fourth dream: Joseph is warned and instructed not to return to Bethlehem in Judea, but instead to move to Nazareth in Galilee. The move to this location fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah, "He will be called a Nazarene."

By Dusty Parker

Dusty and his wife Wanda Parker make their home in Pontotoc, MS

Bodock Beau A Mom And Santa Talk

The following may qualify more as poetic fantasy than humor, but I think all moms will appreciate it:

Sometimes we need reminding of what life is all about. Especially, at times during the Holiday season, when all we seem to do is clean and bake and shop and then do more. So stop for a moment and hug that little one so special, whether he/she is 2 months or 22 years, or even older than that. For they are the Gift that God gave us in life...and what a gift to be treasured, far above any other!

'Twas The Night Before Christmas...Mom Style

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the abode,

Only one creature was stirring, & she was cleaning the commode.

The children were finally sleeping, all snug in their beds,

While visions of N-64 & Barbie flipped through their heads.

The dad was snoring in front of the TV

With a half-constructed bicycle propped on his knee.

So only the mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter,

Which made her sigh, "Now what is the matter?"

With toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand,

She descended the stairs, & saw the old man.

He was covered with ashes & soot, which fell with a shrug,

"Oh great," muttered the mom, "Now I have to clean the rug."

"Ho Ho Ho!" cried Santa, "I'm glad you're awake."

"Your gift was especially difficult to make."

"Thanks, Santa, but all I want is time alone."

"Exactly!" he chuckled, "So, I've made you a clone."

"A clone?" she muttered, "What good is that?"

"Run along, Santa, I've no time for chit chat."

Then out walked the clone - The mother's twin,

Same hair, same eyes, same double chin.

"She'll cook, she'll dust, she'll mop every mess.

You'll relax, take it easy, watch The Young & The Restless."

"Fantastic!" the mom cheered. "My dream has come true!"

"I'll shop, I'll read, I'll sleep a night through!"

From the room above, the youngest did fret.

"Mommy! Come quickly, I'm scared & I'm wet."

The clone replied, "I'm coming, sweetheart."

"Hey," the mom smiled, "She sure knows her part."

The clone changed the small one & hummed her tune,

As she bundled the child in a blanket cocoon.

"You're the best mommy ever. I really love you."

The clone smiled & sighed, "And I love you, too."

The mom frowned & said, "Sorry, Santa, no deal."

That's my child's LOVE she is trying to steal."

Smiling wisely Santa said, "To me it is clear,

Only one loving mother is needed here."

The mom kissed her child & tucked her in bed.

"Thank You, Santa, for clearing my head.

I sometimes forget, it won't be very long,

when they'll be too old for my cradle & song."

The clock on the mantle began to chime.

Santa whispered to the clone, "It works every time."

With the clone by his side Santa said "Goodnight.

Merry Christmas, dear Mom, You will be all right."

Submitted by Dena Kimbrell

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