The Saturday Journal: The Christmas Lists (Christmas in July)

Have you ever wondered why we sometimes keep the story of the birth of Jesus in a box--only to be opened during the month of December? Sure, there are festivals and shopping events "Christmas in July" to remind us of the Christmas season--but not the true reason we celebrate the season. Truthfully, we should be celebrating and praising the miracle of His birth, our greatest gift with each passing day. A few years ago I wrote The Christmas Lists and we used the story for our Christmas play at my church. I hope you will enjoy the story of Mama Judy and her three daughters--Abbey, Carole, and Maria. And through their story, how we can learn that, maybe--those early Christmas lists of ours can look a little different this year.

The candles were glowing in the window sills and the house smelled of coffee and Christmas cookies. It's been a while since she and her girls had spent any time together and been even longer since they all decorated the Christmas tree as a family. And Mama Judy--she wanted this evening to be like it used to be--at least as close as it could get.

She walks out on the front porch and looks up at the sky--the stars are singing praises only they can sing to their Creator. "What's it like in heaven this close to Christmas? I think about that--what you are doing--the beauty you are seeing. I miss you my sweet Sam. I heard your favorite song today, O Beautiful Star of Bethlehem. I know you are seeing the stars from a different view. I can only imagine. Our girls are supposed to come and help me decorate the tree tonight. It's been hard Sam without you here. I haven't felt much like putting up our tree--I went up in the attic today and found the boxes of ornaments. They were right where you left them. Our girls were supposed to be here thirty minutes ago. I guess something came up again and they aren't coming. I love you Sam. I'll always love you."

With Abbey at the wheel, the sisters turn into the long dirt drive to their childhood home.

“Well we are late, again," Abbey says. "You two can never get anywhere on time.”

"I told you both you could have come without me!" Carole shouts. "I hope you both know I am missing out on the biggest Christmas party of the year at work tonight!”

And Maria chimes in, “Quit your whining Carole, I don’t have time for this either. I have Christmas shopping to do and Darrell is mad because he had to take off work early and pick up the boys at soccer practice just so I could come.”

"Please, both of you," Abbey pleads. "We promised Mama. We promised this year we would help put up her tree. She hasn’t put one up since Daddy died. This is important to her.”

The sisters get out of the car in silence and Maria, she just couldn't help herself and reaches over and fluffs Carole’s hair at the roots and says, "When's the last time you had your roots done?”

“Shut-up Maria. Just shut up," and Carol slaps her sister's hand away. "I told you I have been busy.”

“Good grief. How old are you two again?! Let’s go in and try to have a good time. For Mama," Abbey says, rolling her eyes in disgust at her sisters' behavior.

Mama opens the door and smiles the biggest smile, "I thought I heard a commotion out here! My sweet girls! You came! You're here!”

Mama gives each one of her girls a hug. "Please sit down. Let’s have some coffee before we get started. I made a fresh pot. And I made some of your favorite cookies."

“Mama do you have any skim milk?, Carole asks. "I only drink skinny lattes now.”

"Skinny what?"

"Never mind Mama," Carole answers. "Let’s get busy decorating the tree. I don’t have a lot of time.”

"Decorating a Christmas tree can’t be rushed," Mama explains in a somewhat stern voice. "You girls know all of these ornaments have a special story. Like this heart one--your Daddy bought this one for me on our first wedding anniversary. Since it’s been awhile since we've put up a tree as a family, I was really hoping we didn’t have to rush this year.”

Maria goes to her purse and hands a paper to her Mama. “Oh Mama I almost forgot, here’s the Christmas list from the boys for you. If you want me to order them from Amazon, just let me know and you can pay me back."

"Hand me my glasses," Mama says to Abbey. "I need to see this list. Oh my!"

“Here’s Charlotte’s Christmas list too, Mama," Abbey adds. "She's made three lists--one for me and her Daddy, one for Santa, and one for you.”

Mama peers over her glasses and looks at Carole, "You have a list too?"

"No, Mama, since I don’t have any kids, I'll take cash. It seems I need need my roots done."

“Girls, Can we take a break from decorating and lists for a few minutes? I need to rest for a minute."

“Are you feeling okay Mama?," Abbey asks concerned about whether the time together has been too much for her Mama.

“I'm fine. But girls, I have to ask, have you forgotten what Christmas is all about?”

Maria, being quick to answer, says, "Now Mama, we go to church every Christmas Day with the kids. And we buy gifts for every child in their classroom and for their teachers. And we pack some of those shoeboxes. You know, the ones for the poor children in foreign countries.”

And Carole not going to be outdone by her sister chimes in and says, “Mama is this going to be another Jesus sermon?”

“Well, Christmas is about Jesus and He is the greatest gift we will ever receive. Actually, the only gift we will ever need. And the buying gifts for others is a wonderful thing to do but there is so much more. Please sit down with me, girls. I have something I want to share with you before you go. I promise it won’t take long.”

“And Carole, before we get started if you will go look in the refrigerator you might find some of that skinny cow milk for your coffee.

“Girls have you ever considered not buying as many gifts, no lists, and be the gift yourself—like others were to Jesus. Have you ever thought about teaching your children—my grandchildren how to be a gift to others and spend little to no money. No Amazon. No bows or glitter. Just gifts from the heart?”

“Mama, how are we supposed to do that?" asks Abbey. "And I don’t understand how there were more gifts in the Christmas story other than Jesus and the ones the Wise Men brought.”

“Abbey, Jesus is the greatest gift. But He was surrounded by people who gave to Him. Let’s start with His mother, Mary. Mary’s obedience as Jesus’ mother was a gift to Him, to God, to us. Hand me my Bible there on the table."

And Mama began to read from the book of Luke, chapter one--verses 26-38 and 46 and 47.

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

“And there was Joseph. Jesus’ earthly father," Mama continues. "What sacrifices he made! What love he had for Mary to be there for her! What love he had for Jesus! He protected both Mary and Jesus. He taught Jesus a trade. His voice was never recorded in the scriptures—only His actions of love. He was a gift to Jesus. Our service to others—our gifts--they don’t always have to be spoken—only given—like Joseph. Listen to Joseph's story."

Matthew 1: 18—25.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.

And the more Mama read, the more she rejoiced, "Oh my goodness what gifts Joseph and Mary were to Jesus—to us! And the Angels and Shepherds and Wisemen—even the animals in the stable. Just listen to the gifts they gave to our Savior."

Luke Chapter 2: vs. 8-20

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

"The angels—I can almost hearing them singing holy praise," Mama says lifting her hands to heaven. "And they led those shepherds right to Jesus. And what did they do? They gave the gift of sharing their testimonies and their story led others to Christ."

"Mama….", Abbey whispers

"Wait, listen. There is more," and Mama continues to turn the pages of her worn Bible.

Matthew Ch. 2: verses 1-12

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

"Girls, so you see, the Wisemen did bring baby Jesus gifts--different kinds of gifts—gifts His family would need later for His family’s long journeys."

“Mama, I am so ashamed," Maria says with tears. "How is it I have gotten so far away from what Christmas is all about. I remember when we would all go to church every Sunday. Daddy and you and all of us girls. And at Christmas. It was so special. Our tree didn’t have a lot of gifts under it. But I remember Mama. I remember when you and Daddy bought the little boy down the street a new baseball glove and shoes because his Daddy had lost his job. And you took them Christmas dinner. I remember Mama.”

“I remember Mama the year you made us all wear our Sunday dresses and go with you to the old folks home as we called it and hand out candy canes," Carole adds wiping tears. "I remember Mama. How did I get to the point of only caring about myself?”

“But Mama how can we teach our children that Christmas is not all about lists or the gifts they receive?" Abbey asks. " That is all about Jesus? How do we teach them to be the gift?? How can we be more of a gift to others?"

Mama smiles and turns to the book of Matthew. "Abbey, Jesus tells us how. It's right here in the New Testament."

Matthew 25:35-40

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

"My precious girls, Jesus says—do for others in His love. Pray and God will lead your heart."

Abbey reaches for her Mama's hand, “Thank you, Mama. Merry Christmas. I have missed you. I love you so much,"

"Yes, Mama, thank you," Carole adds, hugging her Mama tight. “I love you Mama, Merry Christmas.”

“A beautiful way to start our Christmas, Mama," Maria says and she kisses her Mama's cheek. "Merry Christmas. I love you, Mama.”

"Wiping the wetness from her face, Mama smiles, "I love you all very much. And Jesus loves you more."

---

Over the past three years I have had the blessing of writing three Christmas stories and scripts for our church's Christmas plays. When I write the stories I always have someone at church in mind to play the part. I also add songs throughout the program to give more meaning to the story. Do you have a Christmas story on your heart? Have you ever thought you would like to write a Christmas play for your church?

I would love to help. You can email me at tathelmillerwriter@gmail.com

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