The Challenge

By G. E. Shuman

A noble challenge was recently given to me, in the form of a simple suggestion from a dear friend. This suggestion was one of those special and rare ideas that, likely because of their simplicity, plant themselves deep within the mind. Ever since I first heard of the challenging suggestion I have not been able to completely forget it, or completely accomplish it, either.

It seems to me that, sometimes, the seemingly uncomplicated challenges of life are often the most difficult ones to accomplish. Many people have great difficulty in even vocalizing the words “I love you.” Others have terrible trouble with ever saying those two little words “I’m sorry.” Yes, moral challenges, no matter how simple, can often get the better of us. Their piercing clarity and purpose can be quite frightening to people as accustomed to hiding feelings as we modern Americans often are. No one wants to be exposed or intimidated by admissions of imperfection within, even if such would nudge us toward being a better person, or a better friend.

Before I lose you to slumber over reading more rhetoric, let me tell you that the idea, the suggestion which became a challenge, is on the subject of complaining. I will also say that this week I shared the challenge with every student in the high school English classes I teach. Next I will ask those students if any of them are up to the challenge. It is my sincere hope that some of them are, and that some of you are, also.

The great and mystical challenge I have alluded to here was made to me and to the rest of the congregation of my church, Bible Baptist, of Berlin Vt. It was the evening before Thanksgiving Day, and our very wise Pastor Lake admonished us to accept the challenge of a ‘fast’… a fast of complaining. He asked us to not complain, between Thanksgiving Day this year and Christmas Day… about anything. That’s right… anything. Hum… cut out complaining, huh? Yes, that is a simple idea. In fact, it could even be said to be beautiful in its simplicity. “I can do that.” I thought to myself upon hearing of the challenge. “Anyone can do that. It’s only a month ‘til Christmas. I can certainly refrain from griping about the price of gasoline, and the weather, and family members, and money, and politics, and… You know, I can hardly believe that there are people who just have to be negative and complain about things all the time. But there are! If people weren’t so self-centered we wouldn’t even need challenges like this!” Suddenly I realized that, not only was I already breaking the non-complaining challenge in my thoughts, I was actually mentally complaining about the challenge itself.

Thank you, Pastor Lake, for an idea that you say is not your own, but one I consider to be a spark of simple brilliance. I admit to already failing in my efforts to stop complaining, although I am still trying. I have been blessed with everything, when most of the world has nothing. I certainly have very little to complain about. My hope is that this transparent admission and realization will be enough to improve my outlook, increase my thankfulness, and generate more gratitude in my life.

Dear Readers, there are only about two weeks left until Christmas Day. I would like to suggest that you also take up the challenge… to not complain, about anything. Come on, it’s only two weeks. Get this simply beautiful idea planted firmly in your mind. After all, wouldn’t it be wonderful to live for two whole weeks without a single complaint?

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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