Talking to Strangers

Two days ago, I found myself in an all too familiar situation.  I was crammed between a stranger and an arm rest, overhead was an over-full bin, my carry-on tucked beneath the seat in front of me left very little leg room, and there was a running engine beneath my feet.  I got ready to headphone it up and hunker-down for some long put-off reading or even a three-hour in-flight nap, when the familiar situation quickly jolted into a new situation.  “So, how goes it?” uttered the next door passenger. 

Not putting down my book, I gave a weak smile and replied, “Oh, fine.” Was my reply, secretly, selfishly, hoping the conversation would end there.

“Where’re ya headed?” The stranger pried.

“On my way to Wisconsin to see family for Christmas….family and a fiancé.” I said smiling.  I certainly couldn’t be rude anymore; the door had opened, so I asked in return, “You?”

“Missouri.  My family is there.” He told me, and he continued to tell me for the next three hours about his family, his past job experiences, his mission, his goals to attend BYU, his outlook on the debt crisis, his food habits, his hobbies, what he likes about SLC, his home state of California, and so many more fascinating  subjects I cannot recall. 

In three-hours time, I’d learned so much about him, and yet it irks me…the most important thing about me, the thing I wanted to share with him, he never got to hear.  Was it me?  Am I hiding? 

As we deplaned, I carelessly commented, “Nice talking with you.  Thanks for making the trip fly.  I’m Katie by the way.”  And seeing I’d probably never see him I again, I attempted, “Have a safe trip and Merry Christmas!”

“Yeah, thanks!  I’m Jared.  Merry Christmas to you too!”

And that was it.  A stranger named Jared.  I talked with him for three hours and never once took the opportunity to say ANYTHING worth real meaning…but then again, had he?

Maybe sometimes, Void, we are just hear to listen…

Merry Christmas, God

Every week, I ask my students to share prayer requests for a newsletter I send to their parents.  Today, I asked each child to share a special Christmas prayer.  Most came up with things like, "Please let us have a good Christmas" or "Please be with me this Christmas." or "Please let everybody have a good Christmas." and the ever popular plethora of requests: "Please help my dog/cat/hamster/cough/etc. this Christmas."  But one little girl had a different kind of prayer.  "Dear God, Be with my family this Christmas," she prayed, "and, Merry Christmas to you!  Amen."  At first I thought it cute...and a little naive.  This young lady wanted to wish God - the Maker and preserver of Life - the one who is the very meaning of Christmas itself, a Merry Christmas.  God is the merriest of us all, so he really doesn't need our best wishes.

But later, I got to thinking this little girl might understand more than I think.  Isn't that exactly what prayer is?  Prayer is how we talk to God.  And if we are talking to God, we may as well talk to him as if he were right in the room with us, because after all...he is.  And since he is here with us...isn't he close to us?  And if he is close to us, than why couldn't we wish him a "Merry Christmas"?  He is our friend and Christmas is His Birthday after all, isn't it!?  Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus, the Son of God...why not wish God a Merry Christmas?  Then I began to wonder what those people said a long time ago on that very first Christmas?


A long time ago...
Angels singing "Gloria...In the highest!"
...Merry Christmas!
Shepherds worshiping at the manger...
...Merry Christmas!
Simeon holding the baby at the gates of the temple...
...Merry Christmas!
Wise men from the far east bringing gold, frankincense, and myrrh...
...Merry Christmas!
Mary pondering all these things in her heart...
...Merry Christmas!


Just as then, today we...


Children singing his praises...
...Merry Christmas!
Families giving gifts...
...Merry Christmas!
Homes decorated in beautiful lights...
...Merry Christmas!
Friends near and far gathering together for worship...
...Merry Christmas!
Grade school children praying Christmas prayers...
...Merry Christmas!


Dear Void, if I may be so bold, it is my prayer this Christmas for you to be merry in the celebration of a child who is the Savior of the world.  It is my prayer that all may say, "Merry Christmas" to God in one way or another.

A Heavenly Christmas...

Void, I'm sure you're already aware, it's Christmas again.  Christmas number 25.  Like all the other Christmases, I've decorated my tree and lit my lights.  I've bought some gifts and have more to buy.  Like last Christmas, I'm scrabbling to get it all done before it arrives.  Like Christmases before it, I'm indulging in sugary sweets, hot chocolaty cocoa, and searching for that first sign of snow.  This Christmas, like last Christmas, I hum to catchy tunes on the radio, tear up during sentimental commercials, and hunker down with a bowl of popcorn for the Christmas movie on ABC Family.  This Christmas I made plans to fly home to see my parents and look forward to special worship services.  But this Christmas is different.  This Christmas, we're missing Grandpa.

We never went to see Grandpa and Grandma on actual Christmas day.  It was usually a few days after.  But it didn't matter.  It was still Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa's.  Christmas at Grandpa's was warm and exciting.  We spent the night snuggled in old sleeping bags on the living room carpet.  Every morning, we woke up early to race to our shoes (which we'd obediently lined up by the door the night before) and found a single piece of candy in the left one.  Grandma'd let us decorate sugar cookies and Grandpa taught us chess.  That was Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

This Christmas is different.  Grandpa is in heaven this Christmas.  What's it like, I wonder, your first Christmas in heaven?  Christmas in God's house can be nothing short of spectacular.  Can you imagine it, Void?  I imagine, a choir of a millions angels, singing praises to Him, the greatest gift of all.  Grandpa's singing with them in perfect harmony this Christmas.  I imagine, a table adorned with every good food imaginable and around it sit the people you knew and loved in this life.  Grandpa is feasting there this Christmas.  I imagine, a tree which stretches high above the ceiling, twinkles in splendor, and sparkles with ornaments of heavenly glory.  Grandpa is seeing that tree with his own eyes, this Christmas.  This Christmas, my Grandpa is the happiest he's ever been and I am glad.  I'm glad he's there, celebrating.

My First Christmas in Heaven

Author:  Unknown

I am having my first Christmas in Heaven

A glorious, wonderful day!

I am standing with saints of all ages,

Who found Christ, the truth and the way

I am singing with the heavenly choir

I--who so loved to sing!

And, oh what celestial music

We bring to our Savior and King

I am singing the glad song of redemption,

How Jesus to Bethlehem came,

And why they called his name Jesus,

That all may be save through his name!

Oh, loved one, I wish you could be here!

No Christmas on earth can compare,

With all of the rapture in glory,

I witness in Heaven so fair!

You know how I always loved Christmas,

It seemed such a wonderful day,

With all of my loved ones around me,

We were so happy in every way.

Yes, now I can see why I loved it,

And, oh what a joy it will be,

When all of my loved ones are with me,

To share all the glories I see!

So, dear ones on earth, I send greetings,

Look up!  Til dawning appears,

And, oh what a Christmas awaits us,

Beyond all our parting and tears!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!