Christmas morning in 1958
Our focus back then was never about Jesus being the Reason for the Season. As kids, my brothers (Raymond and Richard) and I just wanted presents. We could hardly wait to tear open what was under our aluminum Christmas tree. We had already shaken, examined, and made tiny holes in the wrapping of every gift somehow without getting caught. We lived ‘south of the tracks’ near 18th Avenue and Sherman in Phoenix Az. It was a wonderful time.
Here is a short story excerpted from Barrio Walk: Stepping Into Wisdom:
It was early Christmas morning when I woke up to the sound of my brother yelling, “Bikes! Bikes!” We ran toward the living room as fast as we could. I remember not making the turn around the corner of the stove and went sliding on the vinyl floor into the cabinet doors under the sink. I slid because I was wearing my mock socks, that is short for moccasin socks – we used to call them muck clucks. I bounced off the doors and quickly scrambled to my feet. When I made it into the living room, I saw three beautiful brand-new bicycles. My bike was smaller than my brothers’ bikes and it had training wheels. My parents and brothers told me Santa Claus had brought them into the house while we were asleep.
We immediately went outside to test ride our new treasures. I rode mine in front of my beloved Lala’s house. I was not there long before her dog chased me away. My little legs peddled with all my terrified strength to get away. As I tilted my bike to make a turn, (around the corner on 18th Avenue and Hadley) one of the training wheels lost contact with the ground. It was eerie to hear the whirling sound as the training wheel was spinning in the air. Being chased by Cujo was not part of my Christmas morning plan, but I somehow made it without any missing toes as the dogs teeth were close and frightening.
Today, as a Christian author, my focus about Christmas has changed. My purpose in life now is to tell everyone about the Savior of the World. He is the greatest gift anyone can receive.
Celebrate this most wonderful time of the year by accepting Christ as your Lord and Savior. Be part of the chosen people, God’s special possession, so we can praise Him because He has taken us out of the darkness and into His wonderful light. Feel secure as you wrap yourself in the garment of His Word. “The Word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, that is the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” Romans 10:8-10
Merry Christmas 2020