Folks, as the celebration of Christ’s birth approaches, my mind goes back to past celebrations. Not necessarily to the gifts that I may have received but to the way I felt as love was shared and as gifts were given and received.

I know that each family has certain traditions that are passed on from generation to generation and bring both laughter and tears as the celebration takes place.

The reading of Jesus’ birth, the singing of special songs, being served special foods, stories of past celebrations and the list goes on and on.

As Christmas approaches I always remember a special gift I received! It was not the gift but what it meant to both the giver and the recipient, me!

Folks I have written about this gift before. Be that as it may, I repeat it here as it is a part of my Christmas tradition.

I cannot remember many gifts I received at Christmas but I always remember this one!

I don’t even remember what year it was although it was in the late 1950s.

I was the principal of the high school in Farmersville, Ohio. The custom in our school was that the last day before the beginning of Christmas break was free time for class parties and the giving of gifts. Through the years I received many and various gifts but I cannot remember any specific gift that the students gave me, with one exception. I remember this gift every year and it still brings tears to my eyes. That is the gift I am telling you about. It happened like this.

I was in my office and sitting at my desk when a group of students walked in bearing gifts. They were a group of about eight freshmen. They walked up to my desk and one by one proceeded to give me their gifts along with a wish of Merry Christmas.

At the rear of the group was a shy young girl. As she approached me I noticed that she had a quarter in her hand. She offered it to me with a wish of Merry Christmas. I opened my mouth to say something like, "Honey you keep your money I don’t need it." Looking at her I knew she came from a very low income family and they really needed the money. I believed it was her lunch money. However, before I could speak a word a voice within me said, "Brubaker don’t say something stupid! Don’t rob this young girl of the joy of giving; don’t take away her pride and integrity as a human being!"

Thank God that voice spoke to me! I swallowed hard and said, "Thank you honey and a Merry Christmas to you also!"

Folks there are gifts and there are gifts and a little child shall lead them!

A merry and meaningful Christmas to all of you from the Brubakers.

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