Wishing You A Merry Christmas!

Like most families, Christmas is our favorite time of year. As a child, we gathered at my mother’s parents (Mama Lula and Daddy Kellis) to enjoy a festive meal, hunting and a lot of good fellowship with relatives. What an immeasurably joyous time that was for me as a child.

When I was approaching High School, my oldest brother joined the Air Force during the Cold War. He was trained in intelligence and assigned to Germany. Because of the nature of his work, he was not allowed to return home for four, long years… my entire High School career.

My family was very involved in athletics, and we always supported each other. My oldest brother, a running back on our school team, taught me how to evade tacklers and fight for extra yardage by keeping my legs pumping. I loved my brother, and I loved to have him at games watching me. So, it broke my heart that he was in Germany for the entire time of my High School playing days.

During Christmas at the family gathering, my oldest brother was sorely missed. It hurt to look at the empty place at the table. Finally, he came home! This renewed our family gatherings and much laughter returned. My family stills tears up when the song, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” is played. We remember the pain of separation and the joy of reunion!

Many years have passed since the Cold War days and those painful days of separation. My family still enjoys getting together at Christmas, even though many are in Heaven now. There is just something magical about being together and listening and singing Christmas carols, as it brings back so many childhood memories.

 So, as your family gathers this Christmas, may you too enjoy a very special time with each family member. And, rejoice in that Christ our Savior has come to save us from our sins so that we might have a family reunion in Heaven.

Merry Christmas to you and to yours!

Celebrating His Birth,

Ron