Snow for Christmas

Folks, on Tuesday, December 4, I was sitting out on our back deck letting the warm sunshine permeate these old bones. It felt good and I was thankful for its warming rays.

My mind shifted to how different this was from what I had been accustomed to, at this time of the year, most of my life. This was especially true around Christmas. At this time of the year we expected it to be cold and if we were fortunate we might have some snow for Christmas.

My sister, Florence, was especially anxious for it to snow for Christmas.

In the 1960s she was living in the lower Rio Grande valley in Alamo, Texas. It seems that each year Florence would long and loudly proclaim that Christmas just didn’t seem like Christmas without snow. Finally someone got tired of hearing her talk about a snowy Christmas and asked her this question. Florence what makes you think Jesus was born in a snow storm?

I do not know if this question silenced her completely but as I recalled this incident I do know it made me do some thinking. Folks sometimes we get caught up in the hustle and bustle, gifts, family, church schedules, decorations, Santa Claus and I don’t know what all and forget the important fact that this is the day we Christians celebrate the birth of our Savior! All else pales in comparison! So snow or no snow let us remember the real reason we celebrate.

Do not misunderstand me! Beautiful music, decorations, landscapes, pageants, etc. are wonderful and we can and should enjoy them. Be that as it may we should be careful to remember the real reason we celebrate and worship is the Babe born in Bethlehem and laid in a manger.

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