From the porch
Do you hear Santa’s sleigh?
Dwight Otwell

Christmas is four days away.

Santa Claus is coming to town. Shopper procrastination is in full swing as those who have put off Christmas shopping delve through remaining bargains at area stores. The Salvation Army men and women stand in front of their black kettles, ringing bells and patiently greeting everyone who passes.

As a child, Christmas was exciting and magical. We believed in Santa Claus and everyone seemed to become nicer during the week leading up to Christmas morning.

I was always astounded on Christmas morning to discover that Santa had come again. The proof was in the toys on the living room floor. That confirmation that Santa was indeed real and carried out his mission was the key to the joy I felt - much more than the toys and presents I received. I was equally in wonder over the fact that Santa had eaten the piece of pie or cake I left out for him on the dining room table. The proof was that the bowl was empty with a few crumbs left behind by Santa himself.

One memorable Christmas was when Santa left me my first bicycle. It was red. Amazingly, he left bicycles for my two best friends in the neighborhood. Santa sure knew what he was doing.

Later on, as an adult, it was fun to see my children’s reactions to Christmas. I loved to see them immerse themselves in the season.

The gift giving is fun. Christmas is one of the few times I like to shop.I have never enjoyed shopping for myself unless it is a very specific item that I really need or want.

However, it is fun to look around stores and try to determine what different relatives or friends would enjoy.

My parents never let me forget that Christmas is much more than gifts and colorful lights. It is a special time to celebrate the birth of Jesus. I tried to instill that into my children. We always read one of the versions of the Christmas story from the Bible on Christmas morning.

I no longer have kids at home and Christmas isn’t quite as exciting as it was when I was a child and began counting down the number of days until Santa would arrive. When the eve of Christmas Eve arrived, I was always ready to burst.

While it isn’t the same kind of excitement as when I was younger, it is still glorious. I normally become very busy during the Christmas season and I sometimes have to slow down and relax. I don’t want to ruin Christmas by becoming stressed.

But since I know that Christmas is a Christian holiday, set aside to acknowledge and celebrate the entry of Jesus Christ onto this earth, along with his great plan of salvation, I am content and pleased with the season. It proclaims the beginning of the greatest message ever told and the most notable life ever lived.

Have a blessed Christmas.

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