Thoughtful Thursday

 CHRISTMAS IN JULY

Have you ever heard of, “Christmas in July?”  Every year, about this time, when I hear this phrase, my mind goes back to a time that I really thought that I could have Christmas in July!

I was just a little girl, perhaps five or six years old. I was playing out in the yard one day, and it was hot, and I was thirsty, and I was sweating profusely. As I wiped the sweat that was running down from my brow, I thought to myself, “Shew… I’m burning up! I wish it was Christmas!”

Then, my little mind began to wistfully think about snow, Christmas trees, and stockings hung by the chimney with care. From that point, I began to think about Santa, and why he only came on Christmas Eve. Somehow, I got the bright idea that Santa really came EVERY night, but we only noticed because Christmas Eve is when we hung up our stockings. So, I thought to myself, “Hey! If I hang up a stocking tonight, I’ll bet that Santa will fill it with goodies and a small toy. I’m gonna do that!”

I was so excited! I ran to tell my brother and sister. They laughed and laughed and made fun of me. “He’ll come…you’ll see! You just wait!” I was about to cry, but I ran inside to tell my mom and dad this wonderful theory that I had. They laughed, too. Then, I really did begin to cry. I pulled myself together, and defiantly said, “I’m going to hang up a stocking anyway. You’ll see! You will all see!”

So, I got one of my daddy’s big socks, hung it on a dresser drawer, (we didn’t have a chimney), and daydreamed about what Santa would bring me. That night, I could barely go to sleep for the anticipation of what the morning would bring! As soon as I woke up, I looked over at the dresser drawer. Sure enough, that old sock was bulging out at the seams! I let out a squeal of excitement! I ran over to retrieve it, and discovered that my brother and sister had filled it up with crumpled up paper, and a few rocks. My brother and sister mocked me until Mommy and daddy made them quit, and they weren’t allowed to talk about it anymore.

This true life story reminds me of  a Bible story that tells of others who were waiting for someone to return. In Matthew 25, we read about the parable of the ten virgins, who were waiting for the bridegroom to return. Five were wise, and kept their lamps trimmed and ready. Five were foolish, and did not take any oil with them. They all fell asleep, and at midnight, the cry rang out, “Here’s the bridegroom!” Those who were ready went with him, but the foolish ones were left behind.

Now, I don’t know about Santa, but I do know that Christ is coming back someday. We need to be prepared. We need to read our Bible, which is a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path. We need to pray, and communicate with the Bridegroom, which is Christ Jesus.

“Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” Matthew 25:13