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Blue Springs, MO —
It was Christmas 1965. Cindy patiently waited for the family to arrive by bus. It was late in the evening. Cindy knew they needed help. She knew they would have nothing but the clothes they were wearing.
This vibrant woman, a modern day Good Samaritan, had her station wagon loaded with blankets, food and toys, ready to transport the needy family to their apartment.
My sisters and I called Cindy by another name: Sister Godshall. She was remarkable to all who knew her. She was also a good friend's mother.
Sister Godshall was an extraordinary example of service to me, just like my mother. She was always doing something for someone.
She was an inspiration. “I” stands for inspiration.
What a beautiful season this is, where examples of giving are abundant.
Today's column is my third and final column on the true spirit of Christmas.
For the past two weeks, I have shared my thoughts on the spirit of Christmas. “S” stands for service, “P” for peace, “I” for I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” and “R” for Reverence for the Redeemer.
Today I will conclude with the last two letters of “spirit.”
Yes, Sister Godshall represents “I” for inspiration. This time of year, there are multiple inspirations.
We do not need to fill a station wagon with gifts, as Sister Godshall did. We can simply drop a coin in a Salvation Army red bucket, help a friend by sweeping their walk or take a meal to a family in need.
Look around. There are inspirations everywhere – Christmas inspirations. And we can be the inspiration.
The last letter of the spirit of Christmas is “T” which stands for the “Three Wise Men.”
I have borrowed some thoughts about the Three Wise Men from an article written by Wendy Kenney in the December 2009 New Era magazine.
“The scriptural account of the Savior's birth actually reveals little about the Wise Men (see Matthew 2). But because their visit was so significant, scholars throughout the centuries have attempted to discover information about their background and purpose in visiting the Christ child.”
This is what we do know.
“Tradition holds that there were three men who visited the Christ child, a belief that comes from the fact that there were three gifts given: gold, frankincense and myrrh.
“Most scholars agree that the gifts were symbolic. The gold symbolized Jesus’ kingship; frankincense, His divinity; and myrrh His suffering and death, since myrrh was a substance used to perfume dead bodies before burial.
It was Christmas 1965. Cindy patiently waited for the family to arrive by bus. It was late in the evening. Cindy knew they needed help. She knew they would have nothing but the clothes they were wearing.
This vibrant woman, a modern day Good Samaritan, had her station wagon loaded with blankets, food and toys, ready to transport the needy family to their apartment.
My sisters and I called Cindy by another name: Sister Godshall. She was remarkable to all who knew her. She was also a good friend's mother.
Sister Godshall was an extraordinary example of service to me, just like my mother. She was always doing something for someone.
She was an inspiration. “I” stands for inspiration.
What a beautiful season this is, where examples of giving are abundant.
Today's column is my third and final column on the true spirit of Christmas.
For the past two weeks, I have shared my thoughts on the spirit of Christmas. “S” stands for service, “P” for peace, “I” for I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” and “R” for Reverence for the Redeemer.
Today I will conclude with the last two letters of “spirit.”
Yes, Sister Godshall represents “I” for inspiration. This time of year, there are multiple inspirations.
We do not need to fill a station wagon with gifts, as Sister Godshall did. We can simply drop a coin in a Salvation Army red bucket, help a friend by sweeping their walk or take a meal to a family in need.
Look around. There are inspirations everywhere – Christmas inspirations. And we can be the inspiration.
The last letter of the spirit of Christmas is “T” which stands for the “Three Wise Men.”
I have borrowed some thoughts about the Three Wise Men from an article written by Wendy Kenney in the December 2009 New Era magazine.
“The scriptural account of the Savior's birth actually reveals little about the Wise Men (see Matthew 2). But because their visit was so significant, scholars throughout the centuries have attempted to discover information about their background and purpose in visiting the Christ child.”
This is what we do know.
“Tradition holds that there were three men who visited the Christ child, a belief that comes from the fact that there were three gifts given: gold, frankincense and myrrh.
“Most scholars agree that the gifts were symbolic. The gold symbolized Jesus’ kingship; frankincense, His divinity; and myrrh His suffering and death, since myrrh was a substance used to perfume dead bodies before burial.
“Scholars have found other records that refer to the Wise Men as kings. The 13th-century writings of Marco Polo contain a report from the town of Saba in Persia about three kings who took gold, frankincense and myrrh with them on a journey to visit a newborn prophet. According to Marco Polo's record, the men were named Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar, the names usually associated with the Wise Men today.
This is the essence, the spirit of Christmas.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).
“The shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem. … And they came with haste” (Luke 2:15-16).
Wise men journeyed from the East to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. … When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and fell down and worshipped him” (Matt. 2:2, 10-11).
Readers, Jesus was born. He walked this earth. He lives and we will see him again. I so testify, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Diane Mack is coordinator of Putting Families First, Jackson County’s Family Week Foundation. Email her at Jacksoncountyfamilyweek@juno.com or visit www.jacksoncountyfamilyweek.org.
