Last Year's Christmas Letter

Here it is December 1, 2009 and my Christmas cactus is blooming right on schedule as it does every year. It’s amazing to me how it knows that its Christmas time. I don’t tell it to bloom. They say you need to talk to your plants. Can you see me talking to my plants? Oh I don’t need to scare Johnny anymore than I already have.


As Sam the snowman would say, “Ahhh I love this time of year!”Everyone seems more kinder and gentler. Tis The season to have HOPE. Hope is one of the best feelings you can have. I guess that’s why I start celebrating Christmas a little early. {I have to confess, I have been listening to Christmas music since the middle of November.} Don’t get me wrong the feeling of HOPE never leaves me, it just becomes stronger as we celebrate the birth of our Savior.

Isn’t it crazy how easy it is to forget why we celebrate Christmas. My younger two seem to want everything that pops up on a commercial. My older two don’t do toys anymore, unless it’s electronic. I’m trying to find a gift that serves dual purpose. No questions please my brain has been straining enough! And Charlie Brown says “My own dog has gone commercial!! Is this what Christmas is all about?” Well I’m here to tell you, no it’s not! It’s easy to get caught up in Christmas wish lists and the things I have to do before Christmas lists.

Here are some things to ponder… Do you know the legend of the Christmas Tree, or the Candy Cane? Do you know why we put a star at the top of the tree? Why we give gifts? Who were the ones that brought gifts before Santa ever came into the picture? {Answers to follow for those of you who are not sure.}

It’s very obvious we have gone commercial and have been for many, many years. Now slow down take a moment and you will notice that the traditions we have carried down through the years points to that little babe in the manger. “And that’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.” Somehow that little babe who came to give a gift so precious, seems to get pushed aside at Christmas time.

Ya know I’ve been thinking….{sometimes that gets me into trouble} just like my blooming Christmas cactus, Christmas still comes. Even if you don’t have a tree, lights, presents, or a winter wonder land in your front yard. Christmas comes without ribbons, it comes without tags, it comes without packages, boxes or bags. Although it is nice to get gifts like a Roomba 3000 that vacuums the whole house while you are out shopping! {hint,hint…Johnny are you listening?} With all joking aside…

The very first Christmas came over 2000 years ago, and He came without ribbons, tags, packages, boxes or bags. He came wrapped in swaddling clothes and was laid in a manger for the whole world to receive. If we accept this gift we receive eternal life in heaven with Him, Jesus Christ! Now that’s a gift that keeps on giving! And the Grinch’s heart grew 3 sizes plus one that day!

Merry Christmas from The Jenkins! We pray you are all Blessed with the true meaning of Christmas this year! P.S. Those Classic Christmas Movies Just never get old for me!