The "W" in Christmas

BabsieGirl · 12-23-2003, 12:59 PM

The "W" in Christmas

Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience.

I had cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending.

Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.

My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six year old.

For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter Pageant." I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.

So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.

Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment - songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title.

Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads.

Those in the front row- center stage - held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song.

As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love."

The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her;
a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down - totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W".

The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W".

Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together. A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen.

In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities.

For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:

"C H R I S T W A S L O V E"

And, I believe, He still is.

Have a blessed Christmas ......

**dg806** · 12-23-2003, 01:17 PM

Awwhhh! Cute! Very true!

BabsieGirl · 12-23-2003, 01:32 PM

Thanks DG

MikeKy · 12-23-2003, 05:07 PM

BabsieGirl, thank you! Very nice indeed.

PreMier · 12-23-2003, 05:13 PM

Did this really happen..?

It better have, because it damn near brought a tear to my eye.

BabsieGirl · 12-23-2003, 05:16 PM

You're very welcome sir

BabsieGirl · 12-23-2003, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PreMier
Did this really happen..?

It better have, because it damn near brought a tear to my eye.

Me too and yes, I believe it is a true story.

hikerchick · 12-23-2003, 07:52 PM

I love that story, I've heard it before. Definitely the true meaning of CHRISTmas.

Jeremy · 12-23-2003, 09:38 PM

Burner02 · 12-23-2003, 09:52 PM

thanks, Babs!

Rissole · 12-23-2003, 11:04 PM

It did bring a tear to my eye, That was beatiful, thanks Babs

oaktownboy · 12-23-2003, 11:08 PM

wow what a lovely story..if i weren't so hard-hearted i probably would have cried

Stacey · 12-24-2003, 08:54 AM

Awwwww I lOVE That story!! Thanks Babs!

TheGreatSatan · 12-26-2003, 04:13 AM

12-23-2003, 12:59 PM	#1
BabsieGirl Fighting Endometriosis Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 7,495	The "W" in Christmas The "W" in Christmas Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I had cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending. Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas. My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six year old. For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter Pageant." I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise. So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song. Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment - songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title. Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads. Those in the front row- center stage - held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song. As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love." The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down - totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W". The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W". Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together. A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen. In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities. For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear: "C H R I S T W A S L O V E" And, I believe, He still is. Have a blessed Christmas ......
	Don't hate the player, hate the game!http://pages.prodigy.net/rogerlori1/...the%20wave.GIF Before you talk about what you want - appreciate what you have. http://home.earthlink.net/~gwcaton/s...ctures/tmf.jpg A good marriage would be between a blind wife and a deaf husband. -Honore de Balzac Desire+Consistency='s RESULTS

12-23-2003, 01:17 PM	#2
dg806 Guardian of The Homeland Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Charlotte NC Posts: 17,158	Awwhhh! Cute! Very true!
	www.sbmuscle.com

12-23-2003, 01:32 PM	#3
BabsieGirl Fighting Endometriosis Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 7,495	Thanks DG
	Don't hate the player, hate the game!http://pages.prodigy.net/rogerlori1/...the%20wave.GIF Before you talk about what you want - appreciate what you have. http://home.earthlink.net/~gwcaton/s...ctures/tmf.jpg A good marriage would be between a blind wife and a deaf husband. -Honore de Balzac Desire+Consistency='s RESULTS

12-23-2003, 05:07 PM	#4
MikeKy Member Elite Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Home of the KY Derby Posts: 174 Photos: 2	BabsieGirl, thank you! Very nice indeed.
	"Don't think you can, know you can"

12-23-2003, 05:13 PM	#5
PreMier happy sumo Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 21,055 Photos: 2	Did this really happen..? It better have, because it damn near brought a tear to my eye.
	P-side Inc. "the post-workout high is more profound than any drug-induced rush imaginable." -Dante B.

12-23-2003, 05:16 PM	#6
BabsieGirl Fighting Endometriosis Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 7,495	You're very welcome sir
	Don't hate the player, hate the game!http://pages.prodigy.net/rogerlori1/...the%20wave.GIF Before you talk about what you want - appreciate what you have. http://home.earthlink.net/~gwcaton/s...ctures/tmf.jpg A good marriage would be between a blind wife and a deaf husband. -Honore de Balzac Desire+Consistency='s RESULTS

12-23-2003, 07:52 PM	#8
hikerchick Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Happy and Healthy Posts: 1,043	I love that story, I've heard it before. Definitely the true meaning of CHRISTmas.
	We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is just a habit. - Socrates I am worth it!

12-23-2003, 09:38 PM	#9
Jeremy Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 4	nice
Jeremy Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 4	Come to a new BodyBuilding site http://www.teenbb.tk great for ALL ages

12-23-2003, 09:52 PM	#10
Burner02 Super Hero in Training Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tip of the spear! Posts: 28,308	thanks, Babs!
	Success leaves clues. People who produce outstanding results do specific things to create those results Nobody cares what you did yesterday or what you are going to do tomorrow. What is important is what you are doing NOW to solve our problem THERE IS NO TOMORROW! - Appollo Creed

12-23-2003, 11:04 PM	#11
Rissole 2 Samuel 24:24 Elite Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: "OZTRAILYA" :D Posts: 8,286 Photos: 36	It did bring a tear to my eye, That was beatiful, thanks Babs
	My Journal

12-23-2003, 11:08 PM	#12
oaktownboy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: smog and fog Posts: 4,387	wow what a lovely story..if i weren't so hard-hearted i probably would have cried
	Chuck Norris once lost his keys and couldn't remember where he put them. So he tortured himself for half an hour until he gave up their location.

12-24-2003, 08:54 AM	#13
Stacey Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Cypress, Texas Posts: 10,585 Photos: 23	Awwwww I lOVE That story!! Thanks Babs!
	I Believe in the Impossible!!!

12-26-2003, 04:13 AM	#14
TheGreatSatan Satan Loves You Too Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: In Min0's Bed! Posts: 11,778 Photos: 16
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