I always love this time of year! But, Christmas on a Sunday? We’ll still have church, just no Sunday school classes and this time our service will be at 10 a.m. in the morning. All the stores will be closed and that’s a good thing for the hard working employees that keep us up and running in Henry County with groceries, medicine and lots more. I always glance over at Publix as I make my way to church when I know they are closed. It’s weird to see that parking lot empty as I drive by headed to Mount Bethel.

I no longer shop for toys or clothing for any of the grandkids. They already have all they need and so I just pick out gift cards that suit them. It is a lot easier for me and I appreciate them doing my shopping for me as they gather what they would prefer. Even our very youngest great-grand is good with getting a gift card and she can even use it on her phone!

I’m still downsizing the Henry Hilton so I don’t need ANYTHING at all! I do like getting neat gifts with all of my dears’ names printed on the product but actually have enough of those too. I still remember my parents making sure that a needy co-worker got what he and his family needed for Christmas. Years later my adult children made sure a former co-worker of mine got some free canned goods, a turkey, and a new warm robe or blanket. We did that every year until she took off to heaven. It was so much fun seeing her light up with joy as she saw us coming up the front steps with our bags and boxes.

I loved buying my children their favorite toys when they were still in that mode. Then we switched over to treasures for the grandkids in their toddler and tween years. I still smile as I remember when Mount Bethel would choose a family that needed their stockings filled and gifts under the tree. We would get the list from the parents and then would find a way to get things delivered while the children were still in school.

Now I am glad that we have Toys for Tots and I was able to help fill a box not too far from home. I found neat items at Walgreens and then Dollar General and was able to honor a couple of family members plus a favorite chiropractor office. Two of my adult grands prefer not to get birthday gifts but LOVE that some children will be happy Christmas morning thanks to them!

We grew up getting whatever Santa could manage to get down the chimney. But, I loved receiving my Dale Evans gun and holster set and once, some skates. We never paid for a Christmas tree as a local farmer wouldn’t charge us for the annual joy we chose from his forest. We didn’t have any lights on our Christmas tree back in the late forties and fifties, but it did sport some pretty ornaments we had made plus a few provided from our grandparents. I was always pleased to hang the wreath on the front door.

We would be excited to see what Santa had left in the stockings we hung from the mantel. Usually there would be an orange, and some candy. My dad always cooked French Toast in his Army mess kit on Christmas morning. I am so grateful that I grew up in that wonderful simple era and ALL the joys He sent us too.
Now the most important thing about Christmas is our Lord Jesus and we still love that wonderful gift from God! So glad I grew up with that amazing joy.

Beverly Wittler has four children, eight grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. She lives in McDonough.