“Merry Christmas!” I have been saying this holiday greeting wherever I go. Soon, I will be saying “Happy New Year!”
Because Charlie isn’t here, I’m on a mission. He was taken from us in December 1997 and he is about to celebrate his 25th Christmas with Christ who he loved so much. His dear wife Sybil will join him for this year’s special occasion.
Charlie Smith is a man you will remember saying, “Merry Christmas, Happy New Year” not only in December but throughout the year. Let me introduce Charlie Smith to those who have never met him.
Charlie was an accountant for 24+ years before he lost his sight. This painful process continued for decades and eventually led to blindness. At 45, his failing eyesight forced him into retirement.
Charlie never complained about his circumstances, even though a strange bright light flashed in his eyes for several years. He conducted a weekly service at the local nursing home every Wednesday for 16 years.
Charlie would visit residents who were unable to come to the lobby to receive the service and go room to room, showing them that he cared. Charlie answered a question about what he receives for giving so much of himself, and said that he had been paid many times back in his life. Although you may feel blah when you go in, you always feel great when your leave.
He then spoke about how residents are a joy to have around, even though they can be lonely, sick, or depressed at times. His genuine care was a result of his faith in God who he believed deserves all the glory for all good works.
There are better ways to live each day than to give cheerfully to others, just as God did with Jesus Christ. How about putting others first?
Imagine how the world would look if every day was a new day. We would have a happier outlook on life if the past was forgotten and we looked forward to each day.
If we lived “Merry Christmas” every year, we would be human messengers who bring “glory to God, in the highest, and on earth peace goodwill towards men” (Luke 2:24).
What was Charlie communicating to you? “Merry” can be translated as cheerful. “Christmas” celebrates the birth of Jesus and is also a time to give and think of others. Happy is joy and contentment. A “new year” is a new beginning or a clean slate.
Charlie Smith, who lived 72 years, demonstrated what it meant to be a Christian by being a reflection Christ. He saw the needs of others through compassion eyes.
Share your joy with others by living each day with “Merry Christmas” & “Happy New Year” in you heart!
Jan White has collected a selection of her columns in her book “Everyday Faith for Daily Life”.
What if all of us shared our season’s greetings throughout the year? was first published on The AndalusiaStar-News.
