Advent Stories: A Special Christmas

In the late 1950s, times were hard. My dad was a dairy farmer and made $25 a week, with a family of six to feed. Christmas was a special time at our house. In addition to all the special church activities, we could ask Santa for two gifts, one of which Santa would try to bring. When I was six years old in the first grade, my parents remodeled the upstairs of our farmhouse, making a large bedroom for my two sisters and a smaller room for me. I had a twin bed and a dresser, and my mom suggested I might ask Santa for a nightstand to put beside my bed. That sounded like a wonderful idea to me, so I asked Santa for nightstand and Betty Crocker baking set.

When Christmas morning arrived, we rushed downstairs to see if Santa had really visited. There under the tree stood a new nightstand for my bedroom. And I thought, "What have I done? How am I going to play with a nightstand?" My parents were eagerly asking how we liked the gifts from Santa. I tried to put a smile on my face and pretend that I was excited. They encouraged me to open the drawers and check them out. When I opened the drawer, there was my Betty Crocker bake set! I was thrilled! Santa had brought me two gifts! One was very practical, the other very pleasurable for a limited amount of time.

Sometimes I question whether we as Christians aren't a comparison of those two gifts. We often select the enjoyable activity for instant gratification, like the bake set that I loved but only lasted a few days until I had baked all of the small cakes. The nightstand is still in my bedroom and cherished to this day. It must be dusted and cleaned regularly to remain serviceable, as does my spiritual life. I must also nurture my relationship with my Savior for Him to forever be in my heart.

Ask and it shall be given, seek and ye shall find, knock and the door will be opened...

Christmas cheer to you and yours.

Lee Ann Strunk

2011