By Peggy Goodrich, Commentary
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16)
What a Christmas gift! God is a giving God. He gave life to Adam and Eve and a garden in which to live. He gave manna to the children of Israel and leadership to Moses and Joshua. He, through Christ, gave “living water” to the woman at the well and sight to the blind. He gave strength to crippled legs and hearing to the man who had none. What gifts!
Even today, God gives rain to the thirsty ground and sunshine to the flowers and plants. He gives harvests to the farmers and wisdom to the scientists. He gives us air to breathe, a mind with which to think and reason, hands to use freely, feet with which to walk, eyes to see His beautiful creation, and ears to hear His voice. What gifts!
He has given us a home and parents, a church and ministers, a Sunday school teacher and those to help us in the decisions we make in life. What gifts!
Is this not Christmas all year long?
Christmas is not just a day or a season but a condition of our hearts and minds. If we love our neighbor as ourselves, if in our riches we are poor in spirit and in our poverty we are rich in grace, if our charity does not boast in itself but is kind, if when our brother asks for a loaf we give ourselves instead, if each day dawns in opportunity and sets in achievement, however small ... then every day is Christ’s day and Christmas is always near. What gifts!
I have mentioned before how wonderful but scarce our gifts were under our Christmas tree during the Depression and following years. But we were not short on Christmas spirit. We made most of our gifts we gave. We loved watching everyone be surprised at what we had created. We were happy with everything and anything we received and were grateful. We even saved all the wrapping paper and used it again and again, even ironing it to preserve it’s usefulness.
We made Christmas a time for baking and making candy. Everyone who dropped by got some kind of goodie to enjoy on their way home. I still do that custom even though some might feel it is only leftovers. It still is sharing and sending love home with them.
We stressed the reason for the season and didn’t see nor think of Santa Claus until we had seen his “helper” at the Christmas program at school. We each got a Christmas treat of a sack of candy with an orange, an apple, some ribbon candy, peanut squares and hard candy. Since we were not accustomed to town-bought sweets, we really enjoyed them.
We decorated our home-grown tree with strung popcorn and paper chains. We made a star for the top of the tree out of foil. Mother knew how to fold paper to make a perfect five-pointed star. Our trees were beautiful and the entire house smelled like cedar and Christmas.
Over time, I hope we are not losing the real meaning of this joyous season. People shopping can be so rushed and impatient and fail to express a Christmas spirit of love and good will to men. There is a rushed, hurried, frantic air about the holiday that makes some want the most important day of the year to be over, so all the decorations can be taken down and packed out of sight for another year.
To really have Christmas joy slow down, listen to music and take time to make candy and share it with someone. Every year more and more people request the recipe for pumpkin fudge. It is so easy and so good.
Pumpkin Fudge
3 cups white sugar
1 cup butter
5 ounces evaporated milk
1/2 cup canned pumpkin pulp
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
2 cups butterscotch chips
7 ounces marshmallow cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans or toasted, slivered almonds
Combine sugar, butter, milk, pumpkin and spice in heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil stirring constantly over medium heat. Continue boiling until it reaches 234 degrees on a candy thermometer, or reaches the soft-ball stage, which takes about 10 minutes or so. Remove from heat and add butterscotch chips. Stir until chips are completely melted. Then stir in marshmallow cream, vanilla and nuts. Immediately pour into well buttered 8-inch pan. Spread evenly. Allow to cool at room temperature and cut into squares.
We are thankful for this season of love and the closeness of families and friends. May we honor Christmas in our hearts and try to keep it all the year. Merry Christmas to all. God bless us everyone.
Send your comments to: Peggy Goodrich, Food For Thought, P.O. Box 1192, Enid, OK 73702.
