Countdown to Christmas

Sleigh bells ring are you listening…, Come on ring those bells…, Santa Claus is coming to town, Away in a manger no crib for a bed…,

As I write it is only 18 days, 3 hours, 46 minutes, and 6 seconds left until Christmas! The sounds of Christmas carols can be heard ringing over the airwaves on the radio and in most of the stores that you go in to. Christmas lights have began to go up, in homes decorations have been pulled out of storage in anticipation of decorating Christmas trees, in fact some have already been decorated. Yes, the hustle and bustle and overall busyness that seems synonymous with the season has already begun.

I’m sure all of you have an idea in your mind of what would make the perfect Christmas. Maybe it’s a special item you’ve had your eye on for a while and you have your fingers crossed that it will be under the tree on Christmas morning. Or, maybe it’s a family member or friend you’re hoping to see. In your mind if this special wish came true your Christmas would be perfect! Some of you on the other hand may already feel the depression that sometimes comes with the Christmas season. This may be your first Christmas without someone you cared about or maybe you’re in financial difficulty and you don’t see any hopes of having what you consider a great Christmas…

Whatever group you fit in, I have a question I would like to ask in the plaintive words of Charlie Brown, Isn’t there anybody who knows what Christmas is all about? (A Charlie Brown Christmas)

This seems like such a no brainer, a question that is asked every year. Unfortunately though, from year to year many of us still forget what Christmas is all about. So I would like to ask you to just take a step back from what you think the perfect Christmas should be and remember what Christmas is all about.

10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:10-14 KJV)

The above verses are from my favorite account of the Christmas story. They express beautifully the real meaning of Christmas. It all began with a gift, God’s perfect gift to the world, His son Jesus Christ. He is truly the gift that keeps on giving.

My prayer for all of us this Christmas, whatever our circumstance, is that we would allow the joy of the Lord to bubble up within us. Also, that His peace will be with us as we enjoy this season which is a testimony of just how much He loves us.


This is actually a rewrite of an article I wrote for Girl Talk and was also published over at Laced With Grace two years ago.

The Good Old Days

Bring back da good ole days, let the children run and play, Teach them how to stay in school, live by the golden rule,

Bahamian singer Sweet Emily belts out with feelings the lyrics in her nostalgic ode to the past, Bring Back Da Good Ol’ Days. It is a reflex action for me to turn up the radio and sing along when I hear this catchy tune.

During my childhood I can remember hearing my parents refer many times to "da good ol’ days". The days when all of the neighbors were your friends, the days when you could go shopping, leave your doors opened, come back and nothing would be missing. They also talked about taking lunch to school in brown paper bags, owning one pair of shoes and one suit of church clothes…and the list goes on.

When my parents talked about the good old days it sounded surreal. One pair of shoes? One suit of clothes? Do we really want to go back to "da good ol’ days?" Definitely not! However, I appreciate the sentiment behind the song.

Through the pain of the present it often seems as if everything in the past was brighter, happier, more peaceful, and maybe it was. As the holidays approaches I feel myself yearning for the good old days of just four Christmases ago; a time when it seems in my mind that all was well.

When life in the here and now proves difficult, the call of the good old days sounds strongly in my ears and, if I allow myself I can sink into depression yearning for a time that has already passed by. However, when I was living what now seem like “the good old days” I probably reflected on an earlier time in my life and thought it more perfect.

What happened to those days the good old happy days, we need to bring them back …

To a certain extent I agree with Sweet Emily. The good old days were good… back then. It helped to mold us into who we are today. However, today we don't literally want to go back But, let's take all the positive things we can from the good old days, apply them to today and make today and tomorrows better.

So as December goes by and Christmas draws nigh I’m sure many days I’ll think about Christmases past. However, I won’t allow thoughts of the past to take away from my enjoyment of the here and now, because one day I want to be able to look back with the same type of smile I saw on my parents’ faces and say, “those were da good ol' days”

This is a rewrite of an article I wrote for Girl Talk several years ago.

A Reason to Hope

The month of December brings for many a sense of anticipation, the anticipation of knowing that Christmas is only a few weeks away. Coupled with that anticipation is expectation because we know what usually comes with Christmas right…? Uh hmm, gifts, lots of gifts… and we all love to receive them. However, what about when Christmas doesn’t meet your expectations?

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Psalm
42:5

For many, Christmas brings a sense of depression and hopelessness, especially when there is a lack of money to do the things we sometimes feel that Christmas is all about.

Some of your parents may have been affected by the recent job losses or reduced work week that we have seen in our country. Hence you may have already begun to experience a different type of Christmas season this year than you did last year. But my dear young lady whatever it may be that you are facing this Christmas season I want to give you a reason to hope.

Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm
42:5-6

Do you still have the gifts you received last Christmas? You may not even remember what you received. This tells you that even though it feels good to receive gifts they don’t last forever. They are only temporary but, I offer you a gift that last forever… Jesus Christ.

10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great
joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has
been born to you; he is Christ[ the Lord. Luke 2:10:11

Your parents may be worrying about making this Christmas a good one for you with little money to work with. Why don’t you take this opportunity to let them know that it’s okay if they can’t afford to get you the gifts you really want this Christmas and see the worry disappear from their eyes?

That would be the best gift some of you can give to your parents. The gift of knowing that you won’t be disappointed or angry if there isn’t a whole lot of gifts with your name on it this year. After all, isn’t Christmas really about God’s gift to us? When life, family, friends, circumstances isn’t what you want it to be Jesus Christ will always be everything you need him to be.

Pages of Life

Something to think about as another year comes to an end.



As you look back on the pages of your life you'll be filled with awe that your heavenly father has brought you so far. you'll see pages that are tear stained where you'd cried, from some pain or broken heart that seemed too hard to bear... but you did.

You'll see pages that bring a smile to your lips because it reminds you of some long forgotten joy... you'll be glad you remembered.

You'll see pages of dreams and expectations you'd long given up on... maybe you'll need reminding.

As you turn the pages of your life you'll fine many different themes; sorrow, joy, hope, love, expectation, hurt, anger... they will all be there. But as you turn each page you'll sense Jesus' presence there.

He was with you when you laughed with joy...

He was with you when you sighed and cried...

He was with you when you were angry...

He was with you when you were glad...

He was with you when you didn't even know he was there.

So as you turn the final few pages on this year in your life, thank him and remember that by his grace there are hopefully many more pages to go and if you'll let Him he'll be with you as you turn them all.


GT June/Aug 2004 *edited*

Merry Christmas One and All

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)

Christmas at my House

Christmas at my house... hmmm. Just saying it brings back memories of waking up Christmas morning to wonderful aromas, hearing my mother moving around in the kitchen preparing the Christmas meal, listening to her scold my dad for getting in the way, which by the way still happens.

There was never a lot of gifts at my house when I was growing up, sometimes we got books and pencils, other necessities or prehaps a toy, because in a family of eight children there often wasn't enough money for extravagant gifts. However, looking back I don't think of how deprived I was because, the gifts would have been long gone. I think of how blessed I was. My house was always filled with laughter, love, good cheer and lots and lots of food.

Present day in my house is not much different from 20+ years ago, except the family is much, much larger. We still don't concentrate so much on the gifts, although don't get me wrong it's always nice to get gifts. But, Christmas at my house is still about the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, family, friends and food :)

We go strictly traditional at my house at Christmas. My dad, my five brothers and older nephews usually grab all of the seats at the table and my mom, sisters and sisters-in-law are usually serving the food. You notice I didn't mention myself, well being the youngest I can still make myself scarce without being missed to quickly. (If I miss the serving I usually get stuck with kitchen duty afterwards though)

My favorite part of Christmas at my house is when we gather as a family, while Mommy prays for the entire family. Her prayer always sets the tone for the entire day. Along with that treasured tradition is the annual, can't do without, back to the past trip. This is where we all just sit around, usually after Christmas dinner, and reminisce about when we were younger, how different things were back then, tricks we played on each other (like when my brother Enoch talked me into let him give my doll a haircut. He convinced me that it would grow back.) We still call those days, "da good ol' days".

That's Christmas at my house. I wouldn't miss it for the world.

Written December 2005



Things have changed in my family since Christmas last year. My mother is no longer with us. So Christmas 2005 will forever be in my memory.

Gifts I'd Like to Give

There are a few gifts I’d love to give this Christmas if only they were mine to give…

First of all, I’d love to give every young lady I come into contact with the ability to see that she is a person of value, with special unique qualities.

Next, I’d like to help her understand that her destiny is in her hand and the future that she wants is hers if she’d but follow God’s plan.

Then, I’d like to help her realize that life is not going to pass her by if she’d delay a few pleasures and focus on her goals.

Finally, if I had the ability this Christmas, I’d dry every young lady’s tears, erase every disappointment, calm every fear.


Yes, if I had the ability, I’d really do it if I could. But, one thing I can do young lady is let you know that you are loved.

God loves you, you are special, a part of his perfect plan, trust him and he’ll guide you into realizing the dreams you may think are far beyond your reach.



(I wrote this piece for Girl Talk Magazine several years ago, but I thought this was an appropriate time to share it again.)