Recently I wrote a piece all about my anger towards those who are dissing Christmas and trying to make it politically correct. I expressed how there is nothing offensive about Christmas. Well, I heard a true story that I think says it all. I don’t know the man’s name or where he is from but the story he told is what Christmas is all about.
It was time for his family’s annual Christmas tree find. He, his wife, and his two kids got into the car and drove out to the tree farm. The man had his saw and the family went out in search of the perfect tree. They found it. The tree was cut down and strapped to the roof of the car.
The family couldn’t wait to get home and decorate the tree. The kids were so excited. Suddenly a car speeds up to them and is flashing their lights and beeping their horn. The car then drives up next to them and rolls down their windows. The people in car gave the family some bad news. Their tree had fallen off the roof of the car and was lost somewhere back on the highway.
The man got off the first exit they came upon, turned the car around, and returned to where they came from to find the tree. They looked everywhere but no tree. They finally pulled off the highway and got out to look. They looked in ditches and gullies but no luck. By this point people on the highway were noticing them. Finally police arrived to see what was going on. The officer joined in and helped with the search. Meanwhile the kids were very upset. They were crying because their Christmas tree was gone. The tree was never found and the man accepted the loss. So he called the tree farm to let them know what had happened and asked if he could come back for a new tree. The farmer said come on down.
Now it was in the middle of night and the farm was closed but the tree farmer let them in anyways. He gave them coal minor hats with lights strap to them and they went out in search of a new tree. They found one and the farmer cut it down. They strapped the tree to the roof and the man pulled out his wallet and asked "How much do I owe you?" The farmer replied "Nothing, it’s a gift from me to you."
On the way home the man and his family couldn’t help but to feel the Christmas spirit and the selflessness that farmer had shown them. As they arrived home they found they had a message on their phone. It was police. In the message the officer said that everyone at the station had taken a donation and they bought the family a new tree. The man was beyond touched. He explained to the officer that the tree farm had given them new one but it would be great if they could give the tree to a needy family.
The man goes on to say that he will never forget that Christmas because during his family’s time of need so many came forward to help with out wanting anything in return. Those people, in the spirit of Christmas showed the man, his wife, and his kids true selflessness, kindness, and what Christmas is all about.
That’s the essence of Christmas. All year we get lost in our own lives and struggles. We don’t pay attention to neighbors and each other as much as we should. But for one month every year we do. We open our hearts wide and we notice who’s around us. It maybe about the birth of Christ but it also about so much more and in all honestly I can’t find anything offensive about that. That story is the true magic of Christmas. A time when miracles happen. There is no better time of year. I can only hope everyone will take that story and keep it with them. It’s not the presents you will remember. It’s not the stuff on TV, it’s the moments with family and friends. The heart of others and it’s the memory of lost ones and those who can’t be with us.
Copyright COPYRIGHT 2011 Mike M Burke / Mystic Night Pictures
