A Christmas Thought

A Christmas Thought

By Nathaniel Fields

                What is Christmas? A time of giving gifts, racking up credit card debt, disappointment and giant meals? Or is it the one time of the year when people decide that they need to be kind so they drop some change in the Salvation Army bucket. Why do we put so much emphasis on December 25^th? Children learn early on that they need to start to behave in September if they want to get that special toy. After months of planning and sucking up to parents, all of the anticipation is spent in less than an hour. Then, it’s time to plan for next year. Those toys we “just had to have” are now broken and the kids are crying about not wanting to go to bed. The parents are exhausted and just want to sleep. Then, the 26^th comes. We put so much stock on this one day that, when it’s gone, we feel lost. Now what? Sure, we can look forward to the end of the year but, honestly, who cares anymore. School starts back up soon which brings homework and frustration. People are no longer in good moods because they now have to put a second mortgage on their house to pay for that one “special” day. Why? We have lost the true meaning of Christmas. No, even most of the Christmas movies have it wrong. It is not to bring joy to the rest of the world or spend time with family or turn over a new leaf. Those are all important but they are not the true meaning of Christmas. The true meaning is that The One and Only God sent His Son down to live among us and we set aside one day out of the entire year to celebrate and thank Him.

                I know you may be thinking, “He is so naïve, he doesn’t even know that Christmas started out as a pagan holiday.” Actually, I did know that. Christmas did in fact begin as a horrible Roman festival filled with murder and unmentionable evil. The Christians of Rome stole the holiday, in an attempt to convert the Romans. “Yeah,” you may say “But did you know that Santa was real too?” Yes, I did know that. But that is still not the true meaning of Christmas. The true meaning is this:

                God had promised His people for centuries that, one day, He would send to them a Savior. This man would be born of the lineage of the great King David and would rescue God’s people. That day finally came. A man named Joseph and his fiancée Mary were very surprised to learn that Mary was pregnant. She was supposed to be a virgin, the only explanation had to be that she had been disloyal to her betrothed. In those days, adultery was punishable by death. All Joseph had to do was say the word and Mary would be stoned. He couldn’t do it though; he loved Mary and trusted her. An angel appeared to Joseph and told him that Mary had not betrayed him; she was still a virgin and the baby was God’s Gift to the world. Joseph listened and believed. He hid Mary away until it was time to pay his taxes. Mary was due at any time but the law said that one must return to ones home country to pay ones taxes. So they journeyed to Bethlehem. When they arrived, Mary went into labor. They tried to get lodging in an inn but there was no room. They were forced to go to the stable instead and Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ. She wrapped Him in rags from the stable and laid Him in a manger. You all know this story. The shepherds see a star and angels sing. Then two years later, Jesus is visited by Wise Kings who bring him gifts.  The boy called Jesus grew and matured. When he was twelve years old, he was already wiser than the scribes and prophets in the synagogues. When Jesus became a man of thirty he began his ministry, lasting a brief three years, where he healed the blind, crippled and sick. He even brought people back from the dead and cast demons out of men. Then the day came where he laid down His life to save us all from sin. He was beaten and whipped. He was nailed to a wooden cross, naked and humiliated. He was God and yet he let mere humans destroy his earthly body. It was all for us. All for you. That is the true meaning of Christmas. One God. One Gift. Just ask and ye shall be forgiven.

Can You Imagine?

I was supposed to write a Christmas song set to the tune of a current Christmas song. I wrote it but it doesn't really work with any tunes so I just have a poem.

“Can You Imagine?”

Can you imagine the joy that he felt?

When on his knee he knelt?

She agreed, she said yes.

He could not believe how he had been blessed.

Can you imagine the pain?

When lies were told against

His beloved. No they can’t be true!

They say she was untrue,

They laugh and mock her name.

I don’t know what to do.

Can you imagine the surprise?

When right before his eyes

There stood an angel from his Lord.

“She has been true, God gives you His Word!”

Can you imagine the joy that he felt?

When on his knees he knelt,

To receive that beautiful baby boy?

“We know it will be hard.

But God will show us the way.

From now on we will not be dismayed.”

Mr. Skunk's Lesson

For Literature class I had to write a childrens story.

Mr. Skunks Lesson

          Once upon a time, in a far off land, there was a wonderful world very different from our own. This place was known as Makobelevo. In this magical new world, the mountains were pink and purple, the sky was a bright yellow, and the sun was a vibrant red. Unlike our boring dwelling,, Makobelevo was fully alive, from the sun that would wink at you, right down to the flowers that would sing magnificent tunes to you as you pass. Also, there were no humans, just multicolored animals of all kinds and all sizes.

          In this place of enchantment there was a city called Noname. In this city, there lived Mr. Skunk and Mr. Fox. These two were the best of friends; they had known each other all of their lives! But, there was one thing that Mr. Fox and Mr. Skunk did not agree upon. Mr. Fox was a very clean little fox. He loved to take baths. He loved to be squeaky clean and he loved to be smelly good. Mr. Skunk, on the other hand, hated to take baths. He loved the feeling of mud caked on his fur and he thought that his scent was quite pleasurable! It had gotten so bad that finally Mr. Fox had started to complain.

                   “Mr. Skunk” started Mr. Fox “when, if I may ask of course, was the last time, don’t be offended now, when did you last take a bath?” Mr. Fox asked uneasily

                   “Oh, I don’t know” said Mr. Skunk “a day or two ago, maybe a week. It could very well be two weeks, I’m not really sure. I definitely remember taking one a month ago.” Mr. Fox stared at Mr. Skunk and wrinkled his nose.

                   “A month!?!” said Mr. Skunk, shocked, “May I ask why, again, do not be insulted, why have you not bathed in a month?

                   “Oh, I don’t know, I just didn’t want to. I’m a busy little skunk with no time to waste on such useless things as that. Besides, I don’t even need one yet; I’m still as fresh as that rose over there.” Mr. Skunk said as he pointed towards a rose that was trying very hard not to breath and was on the verge of passing out. “Hmmm, he looks a little sick.”

                   “Oh no, I’m sorry Mr. Skunk, but you are very wrong.” Mr. Fox said as he pulled Mr. Skunk away from the wilting flower. It gasped in relief and gave Mr. Skunk a dirty look before turning around to ignore them. “You are NOT as fresh as a rose. I’m sorry to tell you this, but you have become very smelly, no offence intended of course.” Mr. Fox explained.

                   “Nonsense that is your opinion Mr. Fox, perhaps you just have something stinky plugging your nose.” Said Mr. Skunk

                   “I’m sorry, but you are wrong again Mr., Skunk. I am not the only one who has noticed your offensive smell.” Said Mr. Fox

                   “Oh? Who else has said such a rude thing about me?” asked Mr. Skunk.

                   “I believe, please forgive me, that the better question would probably be, ‘Who has NOT said such a thing?’ You see, the number would be far smaller.” Said Mr. Fox

                   “Do you mean” said Mr. Skunk, upset now, “That everyone finds me smelly?”

                   “I’m afraid so Mr. Skunk.” Said Mr. Fox

                   “Why hasn’t anybody said anything to me? I hate to make people dislike me.” Cried Mr. Skunk     

                   “It’s not like there were no clues. Did you not notice that all of the woodland creatures have stopped asking you to join them for tea?” asked Mr. Fox

                   “I did but…” said Mr. Skunk

                   “And all of the flowers have stopped singing to you as you walk by. When you are near, they are too busy coughing and wheezing to utter a single note!” said Mr. Fox

                   “Oh dear! What have I done!?!” cried Mr. Skunk “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, I didn’t know! Will you ever forgive me?”

                   “Of course” said Mr. Fox “but first, you must go take a bath.”

                   “I will, I promise I will! I will go do it right now!” shouted Mr. Skunk as he scampered off to go get clean.

          And so, Mr. Skunk went home and took a bath. It had been so long that he had almost forgotten what to do! Eventually he managed, and, when he was finished, he ran back to Mr. Fox as quick as he could.

                   “Well?” said Mr. Skunk as he paraded in front of Mr. Fox “What do you think?

                   “Did you clip your claws?” asked Mr. Fox

                   “Of course.” Said Mr. Skunk

                   “Clean your ears?”

                   “Yep”

                   “Wash your tail?”

                   “Yes yes!!” said Mr. Skunk “I did everything necessary! What do you think!?!”

                   “I think it’s marvelous! You smell and look wonderful!” Mr. Fox cheered with great joy. “But remember Mr. Skunk, you have to continue this, you can’t just take one bath a month anymore.”

                   “Oh, don’t worry Mr. Fox, from now on, I promise to take a bath at least once a week!” said Mr. Skunk

                   “Well, that’s definitely better, but…” said Mr. Fox

                   “What? Do I need to do it more than that?” asked Mr. Skunk

                   “But of course! Once a week is not enough!” said Mr. Fox

                   “How about twice a week? Will that be good?” asked Mr. Skunk

                   “Well…” said Mr. Fox

                   “More!?!” cried Mr. Skunk “What about three times?”

                   “Closer.” said Mr. Fox

                   “Four? Five?” said Mr. Skunk

                   “You are almost there Mr. Skunk.” said Mr. Fox

                   “Do you mean, you can’t be serious. Do I really have to take a bath every day?” whined Mr. Skunk

                    “That’s right Mr. Skunk, everyday. That way you can always smell great and look clean.” Said Mr. Fox

                   “But I don’t want to take that many baths!” cried Mr. Skunk

                   “I’m sorry Mr. Skunk, but if you don’t, I’m afraid I won’t be able to be your friend anymore.” Mr. Fox said sadly

                   “Well, I guess if it means that, then I promise to bathe everyday from now on.” said Mr. Skunk

          From that day forward, nobody ever had a problem with Mr. Skunk again. He learned the importance of personal hygiene and wasn’t a disgusting slob anymore. His friends once again invited him for tea and even let him spend the night with them. The flowers too had forgiven him, now as he walked through the grassy meadows, they would sing beautiful music to him. Mr. Skunk had learned his lesson, and they all lived happily ever after.