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Backstory
Last year, I wrote a book of Christmas stories from Consider This. The book is available this year too, on Amazon. Tiny Little Stories of Christmas Joy, Love and Wonder.
I was gathering up stories for the book when I was asked to present a Christmas program at a Rotary Club meeting. I shared a few of my stories and asked who had their own story to share. We entered a world of reminiscence, emotion and love, as these personal stories were told.
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Christmas Stories At the Club – #660
At the local Rotary Club, members arrange programs for the weekly meetings. This year, I had to arrange the program right before Christmas.
I asked Rotarians to bring and tell their own Christmas stories – stories of a Christmas past. For my story, I read a script from one of my Consider This radio shows. In it, a young pastor was inspired by the way a mom and dad taught their young children the meaning of Christmas. Their story became the essence of his Christmas sermons for the next 50 years.
Another Rotarian recalled the Christmas when his dad was out of work. There was no money for a tree. He scraped together $3, walked three miles to where the trees were being sold, and dragged a scrawny tree – all he could afford – all the way home in the snow. Although he was just 16, he took responsibility for his family’s good Christmas.
There were stories of gratitude for gifts provided by the Club. Tales of elderly who were brought happiness by a Christmas visit. A veteran club member told of spending Christmas on a war-torn island in the Pacific.
Even those who told no story out loud seemed to be filled with private memories that were remembered. It was such a good program – just sharing special moments with people who had become friends through the fellowship of giving, caring and being proud Americans.
P.S.
While you are about your chores and business this holiday season, ask others about their most memorable Christmas – good or bad. Invite them to share a story. You may be amazed at how people will respond. The story telling seems to shake loose old holiday memories. They may be ordinary or off the wall. But it’s usually true. Like the man said, “You can’t make this stuff up.”
[Show #660]