By Tommy Earl Burton
One of my most cherished memories is Christmas of 1987. This was the last Christmas that I had with both of my parents. Daddy was sick with cancer, and we felt like it would be our last Christmas together. In one aspect, it was a very solemn time. But on the other hand, it was a blessing. It was the year that I got two of my best Christmas presents ever; a firm handshake from Daddy, and a hug from Mother. There wasn’t a lot of laughter or smiles that year, but we all were reminded of what Christmas is truly all about: Christ.
It’s not about all of the gifts that you get, or the wonderful meals that you’ll eat. It’s about Jesus Christ. It’s about counting your blessings. I am still blessed today by the wonderful memory I have of that Christmas. Even though Daddy didn’t feel well, he still had his sense of humor. I didn’t have a clue as to what he wanted for Christmas that year; I couldn’t give him a miracle, so I gave him a box of bullets and a pair of jogging pants. We always hunted together; that’s where the bullets come in. And he needed a comfortable pair of pants to wear around the house, thus the jogging pants. He looked at both of them really funny, looked up at me, and said, “What do you think I want to do? Jump and shoot?” I couldn’t help but laugh! Daddy could be so funny! It was all such a blessing.
Even though my parents have both gone to heaven, they continue to bless me each and every day because of the most wonderful gift that my parents ever gave me. On May 24th, 1964, when I was one year old, my parents took me before my family and friends at St. Andrew UMC in Mt. Pleasant, and had me baptized. It wasn’t a box of bullets, a pair of jogging pants, a car, or anything else that some might say would be a really awesome gift. It was so much more than that. It was the best gift that I could have been given, a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Maybe Christmas of 1964 was the best Christmas I ever had? I don’t guess it really matters, because to tell the truth, each and every Christmas I have ever had has been a blessing! This year will be special as well, because we now have a whole new church family to celebrate Christmas with! Yeah! I am so looking forward to celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with you all this year! Hug those whom you love, give a firm handshake to those who don’t hug, and count your blessings! God bless!
