Looking through windows of the past, let’s visit some Christmas memories.
Cold mornings involved cuddling up on a couch wrapped in blankets shielded from the blast of cold seeping through our single-paned windows and underneath our door. Normally, we had heat, though, not always was it high enough to heat up our tiny apartment. But shelter from the elements was a picture in itself. My parents made do with what they had. In the early 1960s, Mom earned about $30/week while Pop earned about $45. Our cozy apartment made us feel safe as we cuddled together. My parents and little brother gathered in the living room enjoying the twinkling lights on our small tree.
Typical music, Cocoa-Marsh for hot chocolate, (or Bosco, and then Ovaltine in the tall umber-colored jar with the orange cap or yellow; these ran .19-.29/jar), potato chips, cupcakes, and the scent of typical foods like pasteles, pernil, and arroz guisao con gandules, added a sense of homeyness-especially on Christmas Eve.
Christmas morning brought glee and joy as we received long plastic candy canes filled with candies and goodies. Toys under the tree meant there’d be no breakfast for us due to the excitement. Instead, it was full-steam-ahead with the gifts. There were big Gene Autry toy guitars, heavy duty cap guns (.59-.99) leather holsters, bluish Tommy-guns (machine guns at $1.99), grenades, Styrofoam building blocks (one came with Blippo, the construction builder); everyone in our family received pinball games in various sizes ranging in prices from .19 to .59 each. We also received tin metal sparklers that created a buzz sound while displaying colorful sparks all around. And one of my brother’s favorites, was a rubber knife. He’d play Tarzan or Jungle Jim. We even got the Jungle Jim kit once. It came with a knife, a sheath, and the hat. Nels’, adventures took place throughout the house, but materialized best in the tub where he’d fight with his large yellow crocodile as they turned and turned in the water just like the real thing; fighting off the beast and living to talk about it before facing off another night (most likely, the next one)!
One thing about Christmas is that no matter where you are or how you celebrate it, it doesn’t take much to enjoy it. The most beautiful décor, are usually the simplest ones. They’re the ones where love is the main ingredient; present in every corner. Growing up with little money or belongings wasn’t an issue. Christmas was exciting because of what we did have. It can be the same for you. Personally, I didn’t know about our savior, Jesus. I don’t think I even knew about Santa early on. But Christmas was special because we were home together.
“Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith” (Proverbs 15:17).
The King of the Universe could have had an all-out call for His arrival, with trumpets blaring announcing His arrival, for an unforgettable welcome with golden pacifiers, silk diapers, diamond-crusted rattles, and the finest in treasures; but chose instead, the humblest birth; in a manger with no announcements, except by an angelic host, and that, to poor shepherds out in the fields, no less (Luke 2:8-14).
What are your memories? Were they similar to mine? Were they of all tin toys, metal trucks, rag dolls, Sussie Bake Ovens, gingerbread houses? Don’t have any to fall back on? That’s sad, but fine. Create new ones this year. Don’t have family? You can adopt one, or be adopted into one for the season. Christmas, after all, is about love.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only beloved Son, that whosoever believes on him, should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Feast on your memories! God’s presence is everywhere, and it’s all you need. Allow Him to cuddle you.
Merry Christmas!
Sam