The Ornament

By G. E. Shuman

Only weeks ago we climbed the stairs,
To the attic, behind the old door.
And went to the corner, where ʽChristmasʼ is kept,
In boxes stacked high on the floor.

We brought the stack down to the living room,
Two flights from its cold storage spot.
And opened it up, just like every year,
Quite amazed at all weʼd forgot.

The boxes held ornaments, bound for the tree,
And garlands and wreath bows and wire.
Most things quite familiar from years of use,
Like the stockings we hang by the fire.

We opened up memories, box after box,
But some things I could barely recall.
Did we uses these lights on the tree last year,
Or the archways in the hall?

And then, there it was, as it always is,
One more thing I forgot to remember.
It waited so patiently, most of a year,
To be shown just the weeks of December.

The small ornament, I admire so much,
And display on the mantle each year;
A ceramic love story, proclaimed without words,
With a meaning quite beautifully clear.

For there Santa kneels, in most worshipful prayer,
By the tiniest manger of hay.
His gaze toward the infant lying there,
On that very first Christmas Day.

Not a sign of a bow, or a gift, or a sleigh,
Not a reindeer at all to be seen.
Just St. Nick, with his furry hat tossed to the ground,
In a show of what this day should mean.

When Christmas has passed, weʼll just go get the stack,
to pack up the ribbons and lights.
And Santa will wait, to remind us next year,
Jesus came on that most holy night.

A Christmas Gift for You

By G. E. Shuman

I have a Christmas gift for you. No, I’m not kidding, I really do. Admittedly, you will have to see your gift through your mind’s eye, and open it with your imagination, but the gift is real enough.

Now, go ahead. Open it. What did you say? Oh, yes, I know it’s just a plain, white, cube-shaped box. It’s supposed to be a plain white box. You see, that’s an important part of the gift. No, there’s nothing at all wrong with fancy gift wrappings and ribbons and tags. I just wanted to simplify your gift, as I think you might enjoy a slightly simplified Christmas this year.

You may also notice that I only have this one gift for you. Well, there are several things inside the box, but there’s only the one box. And, before you say it, I know that there’s also nothing wrong with giving or receiving many presents. Presents are fun. I just thought that if I gave you only one gift it might encourage you to, perhaps, shop a bit less this year. I know, there’s almost something un-American about even thinking of doing that. But that part of my gift to you is the simple idea of a less stressful, less expensive season of giving. For example, you might actually enjoy finding a few perfect presents for each of your children, if you didn’t have to top last year’s Yule-tide tidal wave of toys. Not to mention that your kids might appreciate the thoughtful things you gave them more and remember them longer. Also, if you do like fancy ribbons and wrappings, you can take the time to do an exceptional job on those special presents.

Okay. Enough of that. I’m anxious for you to open your Christmas gift. That’s it, just take off the top. Now you look a little perplexed. Yes, there is a small candle in there, but it’s not the only thing. No, it isn’t a fancy candle. I can tell by the look on your face that you’re wondering why I would give you such a plain and simple candle, that isn’t even Christmas-red. Well, the candle means that I hope you find true warmth on Christmas Eve. There is something comforting about a fire on a cold winter’s night, especially if it’s a very snowy, New England winter’s night. You know, Christmas Eve is a wonderful time for cozy conversation with family or friends. Even if you can’t have a fire, remember to stir your feelings with hugs and your hot chocolate with candy canes on that blessed evening. Light the candle, and experience the ultimate, and yes, simple luxury of a heavy old quilt if the wind is really howling outside.

I see you’ve already found the small box that was under the candle. That’s for Christmas morning. Well, actually, it’s for all of Christmas Day. It’s to put your watch in. No, I’m not giving you a new watch. I said it’s to put your watch IN. Trust me. Put your watch in there on Christmas morning and don’t take it out until the day after. Christmas is for family, not for clock watching or watch watching. Spend the entire day with those you love. Forget about the time.
Yes, that’s a coat hook. Do you like it? I put that in right beside the watch box for a reason. They kind of go together. What you do with that coat hook is to mount it outside your front door. No, silly, you don’t hang your coat outside on the hook. The hook is for you to hang your work-related problems on when you get home the day before Christmas. It’s very important that you don’t bring them into the house with you Christmas Eve. You can always pick your problems up in a few days and take them back to work with you, if you want to.

(Some readers may have fallen off the Christmas column express by now. If your imagination is still functioning, please continue reading.)

I know that what you’re pulling out of the box now is a strange thing to be receiving for Christmas. You don’t have to look it all over… there’s nothing special about it. It looks like a plain old piece of bread, because that’s what it is. Hey, at least I put it in a Ziploc bag for ya. Bread is food, just like a nine course fancy Christmas dinner is food. I do love Christmas dinners. Don’t you? I have simply never enjoyed all the stressful hours of slaving in the kitchen to prepare a huge meal, nor the several more hours needed to clean up after one. Have a fancy dinner if you like. Many people happen to love all the preparation that I happen to hate. Or you might try something simpler this year. (There’s that idea of simplifying again. Hum.) You could heat up a big pot of stew to have with hot biscuits, bake the lasagna you made and froze last week, or simply dine on some other soul-warming family favorite. I would even suggest using fancy paper plates for the meal. Then you can pop out of the kitchen early, pop some popcorn, and pop in a Christmas movie for the afternoon. My friend, please remember that people all over the world will have less than this piece of bread to eat on Christmas Day. Whatever your dinner is, it will still be a feast.

Now you’re getting much deeper into the box, and deeper into the gift. There is only a bit more to it. Just pull that piece of tissue paper out. Well? Do you like the little wooden heart? I painted it red myself. I know, I should have had one of the kids do it. It would have looked better. Anyway, I really wish that on Christmas Day you would carry that heart around the house with you. Okay… at least put it in your pocket or something. Every time you’re aware of the little wooden heart, do something to actually express love to one of those people you refer to as your loved ones. Hugs and kisses are obvious ways to do this, but compliments and encouragement work too. Or just tell them you love them, and mean it in your bones. Here’s a secret. What we used to call the Christmas spirit is simply good old fashioned love. You might want to hang onto that heart after Christmas is over. It’s only a suggestion.

That’s just about it. There is one more very special part of your present, at the bottom of the box. Now, close your eyes, reach in, and take it out. Well, maybe closing your eyes isn’t such a good idea. (It’s hard to read the paper with your eyes closed.) Yes, it’s a small Bible. Why the questioning look? If you’re wondering what The Bible has to do with a Christmas gift, it’s been way too long since you’ve read it. That book tells of the very first Christmas, and the greatest gift the world has ever received. My gift to you is largely in your imagination. That gift is as real as it gets. Save some moments on Christmas day to open it, and read the Christmas story to your family. (Luke 2:1-20. Matthew 2, 1-12.)

I hope you have enjoyed your present. Have a simply wonderful Christmas!

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