Christmas is a time when we find our way back home.

Christmas is a time when we find our way back home, whether in person or in our hearts. It's a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus, relive childhood memories, continue cherished traditions, and share hospitality and good will with others. It is a privilege for me to share my love of Christmas with you. Ten years ago was our first Empty-Nester Christmas. I went on a 24 day walk to find Christ, to celebrate his life. I am following the path once again and will report my progress. Throughout the month of December, I will be sending stories, poems and thoughts about Christmas. I will also include simple craft or decorating tips and recipes. The highlight for me is the music. I love Christmas music, it fills my soul and lights my life even on the craziest of days. You’ll find Classical, Country, Rock, Contemporary Christian, Spiritual, and Children’s music. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I enjoyed the time spent listening and transcribing the lyrics. Sundays will have a scripture, a link to an instrumental song and a story only. May the Lord bless you and help you to find joy and peace this holiday season. ~~~ Marilee ~~~ 

London Symphony Orchestra - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - H. Martin & R. Blane 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXjOst7hFQc

Gen 22:18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. 

"It will lose its Christmas" 

By Bob Perks 

It was magic. The day after Thanksgiving always was more exciting than the big day itself. 

It was the day they pulled out the Christmas decorations from the attic. The day Christmas really became a reality. 

"Do you remember where we keep them?" the father would ask. 

"Are you kidding me? I know exactly where they are!" the young boy shouted. 

Then, running up the stairs he headed directly to the far corner. Rummaging through some recently added boxes, pushing aside the bags of summer clothes, he dived into the dim, dark recesses of the storage area. 

"Hey, where are you?" Dad asks. It wasn't really that dark. The boy could be seen perfectly well, but Dad played along with the excitement. 

Suddenly, the boy popped out with the big plastic Santa face that always hung in the same spot on the porch just to the left of the front door. 

"Ho, Ho Ho!" he said. "Have you been good?" the boy said in the deepest voice he could muster. 

Dad just laughed and said, "Come on, we've got a lot to do today." This was it. This was a time held precious in the heart of a boy and through the years burned in the memory of the man he was to become. 

One by one the boxes were pulled from the attic. It was amazing how so many things were added every year. This was the Christmas house. There was no mistake that Santa loved stopping here each year. It reminded him of home. 

Well, that's what the boy decided anyway. 

Lights were hung. Garland draped. Paper cut outs adorned the windows and Christmas designs were carefully stenciled to areas surrounding them. 

If you remember stenciling you're probably older than you would like to admit. 

Oh yes, don't forget the can of spray snow, too. 

"Okay, that's it!" Dad said. "Let's put these back in the box. We won't use them this year." 

The boy was stunned. 

"What...what are you talking about?" he asked. 

"We have too many things. We don't need to put everything up," Dad said. 

"But, Dad..." 

"Come on, that's enough." 

"No, wait. You don't understand. This one goes over there, and that always hangs near the back door in the kitchen," the child said. "Not this year," Dad replied. 

He then began to carry one of the boxes up the stairs. 

The boy rushed to the bottom of the steps and cried out, "You can't put them back. We have to use them. If you don't use them they'll lose their Christmas!" he said with tears gushing from his eyes. The father surprised to see this reaction, stopped and turned towards the boy. 

"What? What are you saying?" he asked. 

Sniffling as he wiped the tears away, the boy said in a soft mournful tone, "Once you use something for Christmas you have to always use it. If you don't, it will lose its Christmas. Christmas is magic and everything in it becomes magical," he said. 

Dad turned around and came back down the steps. Placing the box on the table, he turned and held his son. 

"Okay, okay, I didn't know that. We'll put them up," he assured him. I can't say it is a fact. I can't tell you that it's some old world tradition, but it became one that day and remains so to this very day. 

The years passed and Christmas was celebrated in the same way. That is until 1972. That was the year that home lost its Christmas. It was June and a few months prior the boy's Mom had suffered what appeared to be a stroke. Later the doctors would discover the previously treated breast cancer had spread. His Mom died that June. 

He was now 22 and married. Two weeks after her death a flood destroyed much of the memories in that home. 

Thanksgiving was non existent. Christmas still a possibility. That is until Dad declared, "There will be no Christmas in this house!" 

The boy and his wife were now living there. As much as he loved his mother he believed that her loss had nothing to do with the celebration of the birth of Christ. 

"Dad, we need to at least put up the tree," he said one day just two weeks before December 25th. 

"No!" Dad responded. "There will be no Christmas here." 

Then standing near him, the boy touched his hand and said, "But they will lose their Christmas." 

The smallest, almost unnoticeable smile came to Dad's face. 

"I lost my Christmas, too." 

There was no Christmas in the house that year. Years later, when he sold the house many of the decorations were tossed away. 

I know. I was that boy. 

Many Christmases have passed since then. Each filled with love, happiness and incredible memories. 

If you are struggling with the idea of Christmas. If you are hurting because of the loss of a loved one, the pressures of finances, or simply can't find Christmas, I ask you to reconsider. 

Remember the real reason for it. It is not a party. It is not a package under a tree. It is not thing. 

It's a holy day. It is a celebration of the birth of the Christ child. It is your acknowledgement of faith in a God Who loves you. 

I promise you this. Even if you hide away in your room that day, even if you don't light a candle, hang an ornament, or sing a song, your heart cannot lose its Christmas. 

It is and always will be waiting for you. 

"I believe in you!" 

Bob 

I encourage you to share my stories but I do ask that you keep my name and contact information with my work. If you would like to receive Bob's Inspirational stories, please visit http://www.IWishYouEnough.com and submit your email address. 

"I Wish You enough!" 

© 2001 Bob Perks 

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright. 

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more. 

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive. 

I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear 

much bigger. 

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. 

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. 

I wish you enough "Hello's" to get you through the final "Goodbye." 

Bob Perks, P.O. Box 1702, Shavertown, PA 18708-1702, USA