Writer
12-13-2001, 02:52 PM
"I can't believe it's Christmas Eve already and I still haven't bought any presents. The stores will be packed!" Charlene thought. Having to be done in plenty of time to attend the candle light church service with her family, she sped to the mall; whipping her little red sports car into one of the last parking spots and nearly hitting the person who had been waiting to take that spot.
She looked like a woman possessed hurrying through the stores. Trying to find all the right presents among the masses of people, who were in the same dilemma, was not an easy task. She was grabbing items out of another person's hands, as they were putting it back. And she barely muttered a "Merry Christmas" to the tired sales people as she finished checking out.
Getting through the crowed mall took more time than she thought, and was late arriving for the church service. Quietly walking in, she spied her family sitting down front, absent-mindedly taking a candle from the usher. "There sure is a good turn out tonight," she idly thought, scowling at the fact that there was no room to sit by her family. Charlene absent-mindedly took a candle for an usher while another showed her to the last seat in the last pew.
The choir started singing "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," as she squeezed into that last row. She began to relax when the Minister stood and started telling the story of Jesus Christ's birth. Charlene began reflecting on her reckless actions of the day when the minister got to the part about the innkeepers. She began to realize that, like those innkeepers, she hadn't allowed room for Christ in her life. Her actions of the day came back to haunt her. She was totally embarrassed her to see how Christ's love had not been radiating from her, not only on this special day, but also all year 'round.
When the time came to receive communion, she knelt down and took the bread and wine, their symbols hitting her with full force. She said a quick prayer for forgiveness and returned to her seat.
Picking up her candle, she joined the congregating in singing "Silent Night," as each candle was lit. Looking around the illumined sanctuary, the light reflecting off of everyone's faces, she began to feel the joy of knowing that Jesus Christ, her savior, was born. Christmas was not a time of presents; it was a time to fully appreciate the birth of our savior.
She looked like a woman possessed hurrying through the stores. Trying to find all the right presents among the masses of people, who were in the same dilemma, was not an easy task. She was grabbing items out of another person's hands, as they were putting it back. And she barely muttered a "Merry Christmas" to the tired sales people as she finished checking out.
Getting through the crowed mall took more time than she thought, and was late arriving for the church service. Quietly walking in, she spied her family sitting down front, absent-mindedly taking a candle from the usher. "There sure is a good turn out tonight," she idly thought, scowling at the fact that there was no room to sit by her family. Charlene absent-mindedly took a candle for an usher while another showed her to the last seat in the last pew.
The choir started singing "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," as she squeezed into that last row. She began to relax when the Minister stood and started telling the story of Jesus Christ's birth. Charlene began reflecting on her reckless actions of the day when the minister got to the part about the innkeepers. She began to realize that, like those innkeepers, she hadn't allowed room for Christ in her life. Her actions of the day came back to haunt her. She was totally embarrassed her to see how Christ's love had not been radiating from her, not only on this special day, but also all year 'round.
When the time came to receive communion, she knelt down and took the bread and wine, their symbols hitting her with full force. She said a quick prayer for forgiveness and returned to her seat.
Picking up her candle, she joined the congregating in singing "Silent Night," as each candle was lit. Looking around the illumined sanctuary, the light reflecting off of everyone's faces, she began to feel the joy of knowing that Jesus Christ, her savior, was born. Christmas was not a time of presents; it was a time to fully appreciate the birth of our savior.