“I’m dreaming of a white Christmas with every Christmas card I write. May your days be merry and bright and may all your Christmases be white.” The words of the song trailed off across the busy mall as Claude headed for the parking lot.“Merry and bright.“Claude rolled the words over in his mind. “It would take a miracle to make my days merry and bright.” he thought. He had never faced a Christmas quite like this one before in his life. Here it was just a week until Christmas and he was broke. The bill collectors were calling the house daily and he had no hope of relief. He had taken a second job at the mall to try and earn a little extra money so he could give Ellen and the kids a little something for Christmas. Every time he thought he was a few dollars ahead something came up. The wash machine broke, the truck wiring caught fire, the ignition switch on the car went out, just one problem after another. Some days he didn’t even want to get out of bed.
“Hi Honey! Did you have a good day?” Ellen ask as Claude hung up his coat. “It was busy. Everyone was impatient and rude. I haven’t heard that much cursing since I got out of the Air Force. I was glad when we closed the doors.” Ellen seeing Claude was tired changed the subject “Let me fix you some supper. You go and relax for awhile.” “Thanks.” Claude sighed as he flopped in his chair. In a moment he was sound asleep.
“Claude, Claude, wake up your supper is ready.” “I’ll be with you in just a minute Sir. Huh. What? Oh man! I must have dozed off. Supper sure smells good.” Claude bowed his head and began praying, “Dear Lord, I thank you for this day, for my job, and my family, thank you for this food. Help me and the family keep our minds and hearts on you in the days ahead. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.” “Claude don’t forget Denise has a Christmas program at church on Sunday night.” Reminded Ellen. “We need to be there. She has practiced so hard and really wants us to come. Grandma and Grandpa promised to be there too.” “Speaking of Denise where are the kids.” “They’re all next door at Tim’s house playing Monopoly.”
“O’ Holy Night the stars are brightly shinning it is the night of our dear Savior’s birth.” Claude, Ellen, Grandpa, and Grandma sat near the front of the church so they could see Denise in the play. After the singing the kids put on their Christmas Play about the Birth of Jesus. Denise played the part of Mary. As the kids finished their program the Choir began singing Silent Night. After the service Claude and his family headed home.
Claude broke the silence. “You know I don’t understand what is going on I just can’t seem to get in the Spirit of Christmas.” Claude Jr. ask, “What is the Christmas Spirit?” Ellen started to explain. “Well its what causes us to show love one for another by giving gifts.” Denise added, “I thought it was that warm feeling you get when you do something special for someone who is poor.” Gerald couldn’t help but add his two cents, “Tommy’s dad gets his Christmas Spirit at the Office Christmas party and Tommy said he doesn’t ever want any of that because his dad is always real sick the next day.” “Gerald that isn’t the Christmas Spirit and the reason he was sick he had a hangover from drinking too much.” Claude ended the conversation as they pulled in the driveway. “Well I hope something soon changes because it just doesn’t seem like Christmas.”
Monday Claude was at work when his supervisor told him he had an emergency phone call. Claude answered the phone it was Ellen. “What’s the matter Honey?” Claude ask. “Your Mom just called. They had to rush Dad to the hospital he was having chest pain and they’re sure it was a heart attack. She ask you to come to the hospital as soon as you can.” “Is it that bad?” Claude ask. “It must be.. Mom was crying when she called.” “I’ll leave work right away if Mom calls back tell her I’m on my way. You had better tell the kids what’s going on when they get home from school and please ask them to pray for Grandpa and Grandma. I’ll call as soon as I find out anything. Love you!” “Love you too. Be careful.” Ellen replied as she hung up the phone.
When Claude arrived at the hospital he found his mother sitting in the waiting area sobbing. “Momma are you OK?” “Oh Claude its Daddy he looked so bad when they took him in to the Emergency Room.” “Momma lets pray for him right now.” Claude took his mother’s hand and began praying for his Dad. “Dear Lord Jesus we need your help right now. Daddy is in serious condition and needs a healing touch from you. Please Lord spare Daddy, Momma still needs him and so do the rest of us. Thank you Lord. Amen. The Lord will take care of him Momma we just have to trust Him.” “ I know son but its so hard seeing him like that.” Claude and his mother sat waiting for what seemed an eternity before the Doctor came to talk with them. “You can go see him now but I must warn you he is very sick. It appears he had a massive heart attack and the prognosis is not good.”
Claude and his mother entered the ICU unit and were directed to a curtain-enclosed cubicle. Dad’s face was ashen but he seemed to be resting comfortably. “Dad we’re here with you.” Claude said as he took his Dad’s hand. “Come Momma let Daddy know you are here..” Dad opened his eyes, “Hi Momma, son, I didn’t think I was going to get to see you again on this side of Heaven, but somehow when I was in the most pain I felt the touch of The Master’s hand and I knew Jesus was with me. Whatever happens remember I will be fine. A long time ago I ask the Lord to forgive and save me and we have been walking through life together ever since. There is no need to fear. If I must go through the valley of the shadow of death He will be there with me. I’m tired now. I love you both and tell the family I love them all.” Dad closed his eyes to rest. Claude and his Momma just sat there until a nurse came in and asks them to step out for awhile. About 2AM after being assured Dad was resting OK. Claude convinced Momma to let him take her home.
The next morning as the family sat at the breakfast table, Denise ask, “Is Grandpa gonna be OK Daddy?”“Is he gonna die Daddy?” Gerald asks with uncertainty in his voice. “Well we don’t know how things are going to turn out but Grandpa is going to be fine. When I went to see him yesterday he told us how he felt the hand of Jesus at the time he had the most pain it was then I realized he had what I have been looking for. He had the true Christmas Spirit but not the one that is put up and taken down along with the Christmas decorations. No, Grandpa has the True Spirit of Christmas in his heart. He has peace and assurance even while facing possible death because he has a personal relationship with Jesus. He told Grandma and I that it didn’t matter what happened he knew Jesus would be there with him. He has experienced what the Angels declared that first Christmas night in Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Now I understand what Jesus was talking about in John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” You see kids, all the acts of kindness and compassion we show, all the nice gifts we give and the love we try to share cannot hold a light to what God did that first Christmas by giving us His Son and His Son sent us the Spirit, the Holy Spirit. That is the True Spirit of Christmas. Without Him all the rest becomes meaningless.”
Three weeks later the doctors released Dad from the hospital with a clean bill of health. They just couldn’t understand there wasn’t even a trace of scar tissue on his heart.
Through this holiday season as you are given the opportunity to share with others remember to share the True Spirit of Christmas. God sent His Son and His Son sent the Spirit to comfort and guide us. May your Christmas be filled with His Holy presence.