The  "W" in Christmas  [Author  unknown]

Each  December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm  and  peaceful experience.

I had cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card  writing, endless
baking, decorating, and even  overspending..

Yet  still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate  the precious
family moments, and of course, the true meaning  of Christmas.

My  son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an  exciting season
for a six year old.

For  weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his  school's  Winter Pageant.

I  didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of  the
production,  unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with  his Teacher,  she
assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning  of the   presentation.

All  parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come  then.
Fortunately,  Nicholas seemed happy with the  compromise.

So,  the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten  minutes early,
found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down.  Around  the room  I saw several
other parents quietly scampering to their  seats.

As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each  class, accompanied
by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor.  Then, each  group, one by
one, rose to perform their  song.

Because  the public school system had long stopped referring to  the holiday
as "Christmas,"  I didn't expect anything other than  fun, commercial
entertainment songs of reindeer, Santa Claus,  snowflakes and  good cheer.

So,  when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I  was slightly
taken aback by its bold title.

Nicholas  was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in  fuzzy
mittens,  red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their  heads.

Those  in the front row - center stage - held up large letters, one  by one,
to spell out the title of the song.

As  the class would sing "C is for Christmas,"  a child would hold  up the
letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until  each child   holding up
his portion had presented the complete  message,

"Christmas Love."

The  performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed  her; a
small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M"  upside down   - totally
unaware her letter "M" appeared as a  "W".

The  audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this  little one's
mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at  her, so  she stood tall,
proudly holding her "W".

Although  many teachers tried to shush the children, the  laughter continued
until the last letter was raised, and we all saw  it together.

A  hush came over the audience and eyes began to  widen. In  that instant, we
understood the reason we were there, why  we celebrated  the holiday in the
first place, why even in the  chaos, there  was a purpose for our festivities.

For  when the last letter was held high, the message read loud  and clear:

"C H R I S T W A S L O V E"

And,  I believe, He still is. Amazed  in His presence .... humbled by His
love.

Again, HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS SEASON




I would rather live as if there is a God, than to live as if there is not a God.  and die and find out that there is a God.
   
  Remember Jesus is the reason for the season.  If there was no Christ.  There would be not CHRIST-mas.
   
  Merry Christ-mas 
  Karen Carter '74