CHRISTMAS GUESTS | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: CHRISTMAS GUESTS | Previous Challenge Entry
By Emily Blakely
11/29/08
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Have you ever wondered what our world would be like with no Christmas celebration–no carols sung, no special programs open to the community? We would be left with the cold glitter and hype of advertisement and merchandising. Even those cannot dim the glow that reigns in celebrating Christmas, that causes me to savor the season. I see opportunities to shine for Jesus, sharing what we have with others at a special time for remembering His birth and His story.

One recent December was no exception and our calendar that month was filled with appointments for caroling, a pageant, communion and Christmas Eve visits to friends, especially those living alone.

Our last appointment was for Christmas Day when 16 family members and friends would gather later in the day. Some guests were new to our community and it would be my first time to meet them. Of course I was a little nervous and wanted everything to be “perfect”.

Turning chaos into culinary accomplishment, my kitchen helper husband and I kept a steady pace (with little conversation) until the house was filled with aroma of baked pies and ham. We made a good team.

Everything seemed to come together well. Guests trickled in and soon there was a buzz of conversation. Just as we all sat down to enjoy the meal together, one last guest arrived, uninvited and unannounced. The ambience of the room was suddenly overcome with an unwelcome odor. It came from a Pepe Le Pew relative, a not so odor-able black and white striped critter the dogs had chased to our front door. Taking refuge under the porch and for self-protection, of course, it had more than adequately sprayed the wood beneath to keep the dogs at bay.

Located just inside the front door, the dining area received an infusion of acrid skunk smell, a cloud insulting the mouth, stinging the nostrils. I quickly opened doors in an attempt to create a cleansing cross-breeze; it brought some relief and everyone politely endured.

Of all times for such a thing to happen, but our new friends now had a better understanding of country living along with a lasting Christmas memory to laugh about. I would have to say it was a “perfect” time, even with the unexpected visitor, and the glow from celebrating Jesus’ birth reigned over all.

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