Tag: Christmas

Posted in Christmas, memories

A cold, memorable Christmas

Posted on by William Douthwaite
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, IN

At Christmas supper last night, we posed the question, “What was your most memorable Christmas?” That was a toughie. Many Christmas memories blend together in my mind.

Twenty four hours later, I’ve zeroed in on 1983 as my most memorable Christmas.

This was the first year I didn’t go home for Christmas. I was in the middle of my second year of seminary education in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I decided to stay there to play trumpet for Christmas Eve services at historic downtown St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, and then drive to my fiancée’s home in Columbus on Christmas Day.

But it was cold. Really cold. 30 below zero cold. Almost all the other churches in the city cancelled their worship services that night. I was driving a 1980 Volkswagen Rabbit diesel. Diesel fuel has a problem with sub-zero temps and the sad, slow rowl-rowl-rowl of the starter let me know my car wasn’t going anywhere that night. A well-meaning friend suggested, “Just have them inject some ether. That’s how they start up the big rigs.” Since I wasn’t a big rig parked at a truck stop, I called around and got a ride to and from church that Christmas Eve.

The next morning, some friends of my fiancée’s family were headed to Columbus, and gave me a ride to join the family for Christmas Day. From there were were supposed to drive to Philadelphia to spin time with my family. My Father-in-law let us use his pickup truck for the trip. It had dual twenty-five gallon gas tanks to quench its thirst for fuel and got us there and back safely.

On this trip, my future wife got to meet my parents, Labrador Retriever, and former coworkers from Bell Labs.

By the time I got back to Fort Wayne, the temperatures had moderated, and my car started right up. A memorable Christmas in the books.

Posted in Christmas

Just another ordinary (Christmas) day

Posted on by William Douthwaite

It’s 9:00 am Christmas morning and my across the street neighbor is detailing one of his pickup trucks in his driveway. Portuguese music fills the air. I stepped out front to let Shazam listen to it, and found out it is Oh Minha Mae (Oh My Mother) by the Brazilian group Mundo Novo.

I find it interesting that on a day when much of the nation has set everything else aside to observe Christmas, for some it’s just another day. There is no mail delivery or trash collection. Banks, schools and most stores are closed. Highways and airports are packed with travelers. Church attendance spikes for an evening.

But hospitals are open and staffed, along with firehouses and police precincts. Cooks and servers work their shifts at busy restaurants. Winston (the Westie) and I saw most of the usual dog walkers this morning. I’ve received all the usual spam email.

I guess the latter is more biblically Christmas-y. Shepherds do shift work. Contractions come closer together, moms give birth, and newborns cry. Governments govern, stars dot the night sky, and people gossip. Life as usual.

When God arrives in the world, he falls right in step. When you think about it, most of Jesus’ life was ordinary. Do the math. He lived on earth for thirty-three years, but his public ministry which included amazing teaching and miraculous works lasted only three. That’s less then ten percent of his life. A lot of that time was spent walking, sleeping, eating, and spending time with friends.

But in the ordinary rhythms of life, Jesus did the extraordinary. He was obedient. He died and came back to life. That not only gives us a future, but redeems our ordinary todays, too. His life and love gives our usual moments meaning and value, too.

Posted in Christmas

A Christmas memory I don’t remember

Posted on by William Douthwaite

I was looking for something else on my computer when I came across this picture from a 1958 Christmas, gleaned from a collection of my dad’s slides. That’s the one-and-a-half me in the red jumpsuit. That’s my mom sitting in the chair, and I’m pretty sure that’s her dad on the left.

My gifts included a ball, a train building set, and a classic Lassie dog. But in this moment, I was all about the red balloon on which my mom must have drawn something.

I think this is my grandparents house in northeast Philadelphia. The live tabletop tree, carefully decorated with individual strands of tinsel, is encircled by an O-gauge Lionel electric train. A tiny nativity on the table is surrounded by a little host of angels.

Mom’s ever-present ashtray and cup of coffee are perched on the arm of her chair. I’ll bet I’m the reason why she looks weary on this Christmas morning. She was twenty-four in this picture.

My earliest memories come from when I was six years old. This is a Christmas flashback by virtue of the fact that my dad caught it on film. This Christmas memory is one I don’t remember. These pictures tell my story, a story that fascinates me.

My dad’s slides included three or four pictures from each Christmas. Not many compared to the dozens of digital photos we take every year. But enough to make me want to sift through them to learn more about my childhood, memories I don’t remember.

Posted in Travel

Everyone was happy

Posted on by William Douthwaite

I just spent two nights at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Instead of something for Christmas, we took some of our grandchildren somewhere, to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas, a special nighttime event on select nights in November and December.

It was so much fun, an evening filled with special parades, free cookies and hot chocolate, special shows and fireworks, along with all our favorite Magic Kingdom rides.

One thing really stood out for me: everyone there was happy! Sure, there were lines and waits and thunderstorms. Yet everybody I saw, young and old, was having a great time.

I’ve been to plenty of zoos filled with tired, crying children and grumpy, yelling parents, all wishing they could go home. Frowning shoppers crowd the stores during the most wonderful time of the year. Angry drivers honk and gesture on highways and in parking lots. Airport security, delays, and lines rob us of the joy of travel. Preachers proclaim good news of great joy to rooms full of people who say, “I’ll be glad when this is over.”

What’s makes the difference? I’m not one hundred percent sure, but I think it’s because there is always something else besides the lines, the waits, and the storms that grabs your attention.

For example, you’ve got a good spot from which to watch the parade. But it won’t start for another thirty minutes. What’s that smell? Popcorn. And look, there’s a popcorn stand over there. A vendor walks by with Christmas light necklaces and bubbling bubble wands. A wandering musical act starts playing and characters begin dancing and interacting with the crowd. Fireworks from a show on the other side of the park lights up the sky. Families walk by in matching t-shirts or pajamas, wearing cleverly designed mouse ears. Familiar Christmas tunes reach your ears. Suddenly, the lights dim, you look up the street, and the parade has started. That was a quick thirty minutes!

Disney is very good at what they do. While waiting, you cannot see how long the line is. But you catch glimpses of people on that ride and others. The zig-zagging line is never still for long. You’re constantly moving. You hear people on other rides having a good time. There’s always music. Suddenly, it’s your turn to get on the ride.

If you’ve got a long walk to the next ride, you’ll find much to see along the way. At the Christmas party, huge inflatable candy canes signaled free cookies and hot chocolate, cider, or egg nog. Look, a random character over there! Cast members in all kinds of costumes walk by and interact with you. Suddenly, you’re there and it wasn’t as far as you thought.

I know that no one is happy all the time. Life is full of ups and downs. I know there are some who don’t enjoy theme parks. Larger crowds during peak times are challenging. That’s OK. But for a few moments, it was amazing to be in a place where everyone was happy!

Posted in Christmas

Christmas in my neighborhood: a virtual tour

Posted on by William Douthwaite

As my twice a day dogs walks take me through the streets of my neighborhood, I’ve intentionally captured the wide variety of Christmas yard decorations. Some are traditional. Some are way out there. Here’s a little tour, with a little commentary.

Snowmen rule the front yard displays this year, even here in Florida. As you can see, snowmen are happy, marry and raise families, and are athletic. They all dress for winter weather. I especially like the unique green imitation shrub snowman.

Interesting animals show up to celebrate the holiday from large dogs to elephants to dinosaurs.

And speaking of interesting animals, I thought this yard was worthy of it’s own place in my gallery. Be sure you don’t miss the narwhal, llama, fox, and brontosaurus, all decked out for the holidays.

The Christmas Basset Hound about to howl along with the herald angel makes me smile every time I walk by. Snoopy and Woodstock are classic, too.

This is the best of the nativities I’ve seen on my walks. The nicely built stable makes it stand out among the silhouettes, inflatables, and light-outlined figures in front of homes. Since none of the Christmas cards we’ve received picture a baby Jesus, I am glad we get to see him on this block.

Santa isn’t getting a lot of shade this year, but he still shows up here and there. I like this Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The Grinch isn’t as popular as he was last year. I thought this was Santa scrambling up the ladder, until I saw the green hands. Yep, Mr. Grinch.

Oh boy! Of course Mickey and Minnie will show up for Christmas.

Here’s a collection of strange characters. This year, someone decided gnomes looked enough like elves to include them in Christmas decorations. The cast of Christmas characters now includes Jack Skellington, Grogu (baby Yoda), Baby Shark, a goat, a unicorn, polar bears, and a frightened crab.

This one is for all you minimalists out there: a Santa hat on a stick.

And I’ll leave you with these two iconic characters. That is a very nice, big nutcracker outside a front door. Then I was delighted to see Saint Nicholas welcoming all to this home.

When I was growing up, it was candles in the windows and strings of lights on the eves of homes. Now you are likely to see anything and anyone celebrating Christmas!

Posted in Christmas

Mission impossible: green sugar sprinkles

Posted on by William Douthwaite

The hardest to find Christmas cookie decorating ingredient this year: green sugar sprinkles.

Blue, red, and purple sprinkles lined the Publix shelves. How many bottles of green? Zero.

Walmart’s kiosk featured every imaginable baking ingredient. Do you need dates or nuts? Lots to choose from. Chocolate sprinkles or teeny tiny multicolored balls? Plenty in stock. Silver balls or cinnamon bits? Load up your cart. Any bottles of green sprinkles? Nope.

With a new (new to us; we bought a used on online when last year’s plastic one broke) aluminum Mirro cookie press locked and loaded, we had to have green sprinkles for the Christmas tree cookies. When we checked online, we could have bought some for $7 on Amazon. No thanks.

My quest last weekend was to find green sprinkles. I was confident that the stores we don’t frequent may have them in stock. Like Target. I came up empty there. If I was making Hanukkah cookies, I’d be all set. The shelf was filled with dozens of bottles of blue sprinkles. No red or green.

On my way out of there, I saw a dollar store. What do you think? It can’t hurt to look. No luck. They had one bottle of multicolored sprinkles.

Around the corner was another Publix, one I rarely go to. I passed boxes of cake mixes, tubs of frosting, all kinds of birthday candles, and found the sprinkles. No green. But wait, what’s that hidden behind a hanging display of kabob skewers and bathtub squirt toys? Green sprinkles! And they were only $3.79.

Mission accomplished. Christmas was saved. The tree spritz cookies looked and tasted great.

Posted in Christmas, Life

A little bit of everything for Christmas

Posted on by William Douthwaite

I know we’re still a month out, but I’ve been enjoying the Christmas yard decorations on my daily neighborhood walks. This one yard especially caught my attention. The longer you look at it, the more interesting things you’ll notice.

Initially I was happy to see the holy family right up front. While there are a few scattered here and there, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are generally outnumbered by snowmen, penguins, the Grinch, Santa and reindeer. Oh, and did you know they are New York Yankees fans?

Santa is here too, standing guard by a “Happy Holidays” candy cane and a “Let it Snow” sign (yes, even in Florida). Another Santa is off in the distance on the front walk. Large nutcrackers are posted on each side of the front door. Off to the right, not yet inflated for the night, is a Christmas Mickey Mouse. Colored lights frame all the roof edges. And then there is the virgin Mary, in traditional blue, with a white poinsettia in front of her.

I have to give them credit. They have a lot of bases covered. But not everything. I’ve got some other yards I’ll show you soon who feature even more seasonal characters.

Posted in Life

“Where are the Christmas trees?”

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“I can help you here.”

As I stepped up the library window to check out my books, my check-out person asked another, “What was that all about?”

Hanging up the phone her co-worker explained, “She was incensed that she couldn’t come and look at the Christmas trees.”

Every year, organizations from the community fill the library with decorated Christmas trees that highlight their products, services, and people. Each one is unique and imaginative. Once I pause to look at one, I notice the next, am intrigued by another, and end up checking out most of them.

However, the upset woman had called the library on January 23. I handed my books to the worker and chuckled, “I guess she was a day late.”

Scanning my books the worker replied, “About twenty-two days late!” All the Christmas trees had been put away right after New Years.

Wait a minute. Doesn’t the Festival of Lights in St. Augustine run through January 28? When we rode the trolley around the city last weekend (January 22), people dressed like elves were still giving out cookies and hot cider. Several of my neighbors still plug in their outdoor Christmas lights three weeks into the new year.

The nerve. Christmas put away before February? So soon? Come on, the Christmas trees only went up at the library in November!

Posted in advent, Advent devotions, Devotions

Bonus Christmas devotion: A heart full of treasures

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

A bonus “Live and in person” Advent devotion for December 25, 2020. Read Luke 2:1-20 and Psalm 148

“But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart” (Luke 2:19).

After the shepherds find Mary and Joseph the the baby lying the manger, they shared just why they were there. They had a quite the story to share about the angel’s announcement and the multitude of angels’ wonderful praises that night. Once they left, Mary had plenty of things to ponder. What a night!

We all have memories that we treasure. We store away special places we’ve been and people we’ve met. Photo albums and scrapbooks are filled with treasured moments from our lives. Certain songs or smells or sights bring those moments to mind as well. The music played at your wedding. The aroma of the cookies your mom always baked. The sight of an ornament that you’ve hung on your Christmas tree every year you’ve celebrated.

A ceramic nativity my wife made during her first pregnancy brings back the memories of our firstborn son. A set of nesting Santas we received as a gift in Des Moines brings back memories of playing “hide the baby Santa” with our children and grandchildren. Christmas poems I’ve written for my wife over the years remind us of what was going on at that time in our lives. And how we love to retell the stories – so many stories – of celebrations with our family in different places and in different ways.

I don’t know how often Mary talked about that night. After all, her pregnancy would have been a bit of a scandal. Her explanation a little fantastical for the average listener. At some point, she must have shared it with Luke, or someone Luke got to know. He wanted to be sure he got the story straight when he wrote his gospel about the Christ.

She would have a lot of time to reflect upon this night and what it really meant to be a servant of the Lord. She wouldn’t get much sleep until Jesus began sleeping through the night. She would have a lot of time to ponder while feeding him, rocking him and just simply watching him sleep. She had no idea what was coming. No parent does. Each day is a new page in the story of a baby’s life.

I hope you have a little time to ponder this Christmas. Hopefully, you’ve had some fun, joy and food with family and perhaps some good friends. But if you have a moment, just listen to your heart. What memories of the past are treasured up there? What questions about the future does it ask?

Chances are you’ve heard Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth within the past twenty-four hours. How did you feel as you heard those words? Tuck them away in your heart, think about them often, marvel at this good news of great joy that will be for all the people, and hum whatever carol comes to mind.

Thank you, Lord, for the many memories we store up in our hearts that always bring us back to the good news of Christmas. Amen.