Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: White (10/29/09)
-
TITLE: Grams Special Christmas Gift | Previous Challenge Entry
By Mildred Sheldon
11/05/09 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
Dad was the youth pastor at Grace Baptist church and grandpa was pastor at 1st Baptist church where everybody lived except us. We lived in the city with never ending streams of cars, buses and taxi’s that ran non-stop to and from downtown. People in the city walked very fast with their heads down and a look on their faces of dissatisfaction. They reminded me of Scrooge and I expected someone to say, “Bah Humbug!”
The air was crisp and clear when we arrived at Grams on December 20 and we stayed until after the New Year before returning to city life. Those two weeks were wonderful. I loved watching my great grandmother scurrying around her big kitchen baking cookies, cakes, pies and bread that made your mouth water.
That Christmas was so special. It had snowed so the ground was covered in glistening white snow and the trees looked as if angels had decorated them that year. The boughs on the big pine tree in the front yard seemed to glow with an inner beauty and the white lights twinkled so brilliantly.
After a dinner that was fit for a king the family gathered in the parlor. Every year Grams would read about the birth of Christ from the family Bible. We knew the story by heart but she always made that time special. After the reading Grams cleared her throat and spoke to all of us. She was so serious and for her that was unusual.
“My precious family I do not know how much longer I have upon this earth. True we are celebrating the birth of Christ, but what I have witnessed lately is alarming and I think the end times are upon us. I want to impress upon you the importance of being prepared for what lay ahead. You are true believers but please bear with me. II Corinthians 2:13 says that Satan masquerades as an angel of light and his servants masquerades as servants of righteousness so be on guard. Many will turn away in the end times but stand fast and persevere. God will not forsake you. I love you dearly and I want you to be prepared that’s all. Children you can go to the kitchen for some cookies. I wish to talk to the adults.” Gram said.
After we had eaten some of her cookies the adults finally joined us and everybody went for a hay ride through the beautiful countryside. When we returned Grams had hot chocolate waiting as well as large helpings of all of those baked confections.
After the New Year we said our goodbyes and returned to the city. That summer Grams went home to the Lord and my heart broke. The family gathered for the reading of Grams will and when I heard that she had given mom and dad her house I was elated.
Grandpa retired that year and dad became pastor of 1st Baptist church.
The first Christmas we celebrated with the family I noticed the family Bible was not in the parlor. I asked mom about it and she just shrugged and never gave me any answer. No one seemed to know or would not say what happened to that Bible.
The year I turned 18 the mystery was solved. That Christmas when everybody gathered in the parlor mom handed me a large package that smelled of cedar. Attached was a letter in Grams handwriting.
“Mary Elizabeth it is with great pleasure I pass the Family Bible onto you. I have prayed over this decision and you child have a heart for Christ and a love for Him as well. Happy 18th birthday Mary Elizabeth. Love Grams”
Well that Christmas I read about Christ’s birth and have continued with that tradition for the past 40 years. I know when I feel led by Christ I will pass the family Bible to whomever God chooses on their 18th Birthday so they to can carry on our families tradition.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.