A Tumbleweed Christmas
Christmas is a season of giving, but can you give without receiving?
O’Henry wrote a short story about giving and receiving that he called “The Gift of the Magi,” The magi, as you know, were wise men who brought gifts to the Christ child. And though it seems they invented the art of giving Christmas presents, the first Christmas present was from God as He gave us Jesus. John 3: 16 & 17 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
O’Henry points toward that old adage that “giving is better than receiving” but he puts his famous twist on that subject as he shows the sacrifices made through love that show that “love is more important than money.”
The actions of his two main characters demonstrate this point. Neither have money to buy special Christmas presents for one another. So the wife cuts and sells her beautiful hair so she can buy a golden watch fob for her husband to attach to his heirloom pocket watch that unknown to her, he has sold to buy her two magnificent golden combs to adorn her beautiful hair. As a result, they now have unusable gifts, but they have shown that “love is more important than money.” And when it comes to Christmas and buying gifts for our loved ones, it really is the thought that counts.
Which is relevant to the story, but what is also relevant is the element of sacrifice the two characters make. The memory trail continues to twist and turn as I recall a Christmas from my youth, A time when money was in short supply and we were convinced that a gift that we put ourself into and made would be so much more special and prove that it is the thought that counts!
Not only would homemade gifts adorn our tree, but the tree it self would play its part. Mom had us bring in a Mesquite branch resplendent with its thorns which we decorated by sticking colorful gumdrops on each thorn and wrapping strings of popcorn around it. Then we carefully placed a cardboard star to crown its top. Christmas came early that year and stayed late!
Yes, Christmas memories fill each of our minds and we all could spend the day telling those stories. And I find with each story ultimately leads to the wonderful story of Mary and Joseph and the Christ Child lying in a manger and even today when that story is told, I can imagine breathing that night air so frosty and cool. I can hear the sweet ring as the bells toll, with angelic voices sweet and low.
Opening our eyes to see the bright freshness of the stars twinkling on that night long ago, when God gave us the best Christmas gift ever! A gift that would eventually die on the cross to forgive us our sins, then in three days rise from the grave to grant us eternal life! Christmas is a time to say “Thank You!”
“A Tumbleweed Christmas”
Oh, those fond recollections of an early bygone day
When life was simple an’ so sweet,
The oncoming season made life so happy an’ gay,
An’ a feller was anxious for the treat.
I reckon it started ‘bout the first norther that blowed in,
Sorta stirred the blood an’ set the mood,
Why even Ol’ Cooky was hummin’ a tune, dogs raisin’ a din,
He took it okay… tho it was a bit rude.
But then, just what does a dog know ‘bout culture an’ stuff,
It takes a real hand to understand,
Heck, dogs bark an’ howl at the moon soundin’ rough,
As Christmas rolled ‘crost the land.
Yep, sunup come to light the day bringin’ joy to every heart,
Whether at the big house or line shack,
But none the less, we were happy an’ glad to do our part,
To keep Christmas Day on track.
“Boys, we need a tree.” the boss says to Shorty an’ me,
A glance an’ we both shake our head,
‘Cuz, we’re set up on that grand Texas plain… tree free,
Thinkin’ what could we use instead.
Well, it has been said that God will supply your needs here on Earth
When a feller finds hisself in need,
Well, here we are at Christmas time to celebrate Jesus birth,
An’ that thought sorta planted a seed.
Then we thought about the tumble weeds out there,
An’ in our mind’s eye, these cowboys could see,
Stacked two or three and trimmed an’ tied with care,
Now why wouldn’t that not make a Christmas tree?
So, they rode out in search of some big’uns,
That could find themselves trimmed an’ tied into shape,
An’ there, blowed against a fence row they found tons,
They’d trim an’ tie them, using strings of pop corn to drape.
The boss smiled to see this grand tumble weed tree,
Adorned with a good many popcorn strings,
An’ perched on top was a cardboard star for all to see,
While the wind chimed a sound like a golden bell rings.
Then we all got quiet, thinkin’ about that day long ago,
An’ we thanked the Lord for our Saviors birth,
Why we could see the light from that dazzling’ star’s glow,
As angels sang “Glory to God, peace an’ goodwill on Earth!
© Ol’ Jim Cathey
God Bless each of you and God Bless America!