The angel who appeared to the shepherds outside of Bethlehem to announce the birth of Christ said a sign for them would be a baby wrapped in rags lying in a manger. A sign is something that points to greater reality than itself. The rags and manger may not have symbolized anything significant for Bethlehem natives or visitors. However, they symbolized that God had sent his son to be the Savior for all people.
Tommy KellySigns are certainly not limited to that first Christmas. Christmas trees, candles, wreaths, and other decorations hold deeper significance than their immediate appearance. A significant Christmas sign for me would be my father’s 1969 Ford pickup truck. Even though this may seem unorthodox, it does have a deeper meaning to me.
Each Christmas Eve, my father would accumulate boxes of fruit, small fruitcakes, nuts, and other goodies. Next, he would take large paper grocery bags and divide all his accumulations into the grocery bags. While filling these bags, my father would be singing Christmas carols off-key and mixed with joyful laughter. Finally, he would put the filled goodie bags into his truck.
After the truck was loaded, my father would take these bags to the less-fortunate people in our community. I remember taking these bags to people like Howard Hunter, who everyone called “Wood Chopper.” He lived off a dirt road along a path that led into the woods. His house did not have electricity or indoor plumbing. When my father parked his truck, we walked up the path to Wood Chopper’s house. Once we arrived at the house, Wood Chopper would hobble out the door. His gait was due to a broken leg not properly set during his childhood.
Daddy would ask Wood Chopper if Santa Claus was coming. Wood Chopper would reply, “I believe he is already here.” Laughter would erupt between these lifelong friends. After giving Wood Chopper his goodie bag and a plate of turkey, dressing, giblet gravy, and other food my mother sent for him, we would wish him a Merry Christmas and walk back to the truck.
I never asked my parents why we took care of Wood Chopper and others like him throughout the year. Yet, they taught me a valuable lesson without even speaking. My parents celebrated Christmas because their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was born. Later their Savior told his disciples, “When you have done it to the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.” My parents saw that Jesus in the face of Wood Chopper and the others less fortunate in our community.
Although my father passed away more than 20 years ago, I still remember those Christmas Eve rides in that ’69 Ford pickup and the visits to Wood Chopper and others like him in the community. I also thank God for a Christian family who chose to give rather than to receive. I have forgotten most of the toys I received during those Christmases. Yet, I will never forget taking Wood Chopper his Christmas bag in my father’s ’69 Ford pickup truck.
Tommy Kelly is pastor of First Baptist Church, Varnville.