DECEMBER 1981

 

I try to post this each year at this time. Not because I am sad or depressed, but because death holds an incredible promise for those who are saved. Thanks for stopping by today, and may this be a time to reflect upon our own lives, seeking the one who has given us life.

Merry Christmas!!

It was Christmas eve, 1981 and we lived on 4th street in Gadsden.
It was after 11 p.m. and both my sons were asleep down the hall with the proverbial dreams of "Sugar plum fairies dancing in their heads." My wife, Vicki, had retired some time back and was fast asleep also. I had finished putting out the presents, locked the doors and was headed to bed myself.

As I entered our living room, I stopped for one last look at the tree. Bynum tradition stated that the Christmas tree would remain lit on Christmas Eve. The lights, the ornaments, the tinsel all draped over our tree. There was one memory that flooded me at that moment. This was the first Christmas since my mother's death in May of that year. My mom loved Christmas because it was truly a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus, but also to celebrate one of God's gifts to us........family. She loved her family and Christmas was the perfect time to let this show. Mom always went overboard for Christmas with gifts and food and making sure that everyone had a great time. We always kidded here about this because she would huff and puff about how much work it took. Everyone knew that this was a labor of love for her. It was a time when she truly let the love in her heart for her family pour out through the things she did for us. She never expected anything in return.

As the thoughts of Christmas' past flooded my mind, tears welled up and I began to weep. It was an all too real pain of grief and the thought of Mom not being with us. I sat down in the floor and let the tears come even harder. In the middle of this pain, a quiet voice came to me. "Don't cry! She is with me." I knew that God had spoken. Peace. Peace came over me and my thoughts changed to the incredible realization that as much as my Mom loved Christmas, she was going to celebrate it with One who Christmas is all about. Jesus. She would be celebrating her first Christmas in heaven. I took up some paper and a pen and began to write down some words which later would become a song...............You've Gone Home For Christmas.

It's the time of the year

When the world spins in cheer

thoughts turn to family and friends

Of snow covered nights

and bright colored lights

and the things that the world adores

but you....

you've gone home for Christmas

to celebrate Emmanuel's new birth

you....
You've gone home for Christmas

left His peace with your family here on earth.

Look beyond the presents

Look beyond the bustle of shopping and buying

Look to the manger and the precious gift it held that night long ago in Bethlehem.

For today in the city of David, there has been born for you a Savior,

who is Christ the Lord!

Merry Christmas From the Bynum's

God on you....