C.: Mele Kalikimaka, d.c.
d.: It’s going to be below freezing for three days this week, Cal.E. That’s very unusual for Southeast Texas, so why are you wishing me a Merry Christmas in the Hawaiian language?
C.: Oh, I got a Christmas postcard from my cousin who lives in Hawaii. That was what was printed on the card. I looked up the meaning on CNN. I thought that, with the weather being so cold, I warm greeting for the season would be preferable.
d.: That makes sense, Cal.E. The weather in the Southern United States is unpredictable this time of year. I can remember many years when we needed the air conditioner on Christmas day. One of my fondest memories, though, was the year it snowed on Christmas Eve, right here in Southeast Texas!
C.: What year was that, d.c.?
d.: 2004. I remember the year well because my middle son was two years old. It had been a rough year after I changed jobs and had to drive across Houston all year to my new job. I liked the people I worked with and for, but the drive was brutal. That was especially true since I drove all around Houston the rest of the day. That wasn’t the worst thing to happen that year, though.
C.: What was?
d.: I had some severe health problems. My employer was very understanding, even helpful in that situation. I began to believe that the long drive may have been worth it, considering how well my employer treated me in that situation. That problem was also what eventually led me to my career as a nurse at The Human Kennel; so, I think that situation exemplifies one of my favorite Bible verses.
C.: Which is?
d.: Romans 8:28. It reads: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (NIV version)
C.: I’m not from your planet, d.c., or even from your galaxy. I’m not familiar with all the customs and beliefs that people have on this planet. It’s confusing for someone in my situation when people start talking about the “true meaning of Christmas.” What’s it all about?
d.: Since you probably don’t own a Holy Bible, I suggest you watch “A Charlie Brown Christmas…”
C.: Why should I watch a cartoon to learn about Christmas, d.c.?
d.: Because, in that classic cartoon special, the character Charlie Brown is becoming more and more frustrated with the commercialization of Christmas. He vocalizes his frustrations to no one in particular, finally shouting, “What’s Christmas all about?” Then, the character Linus read Luke 2 to him. That really is what Christmas is all about. That’s why, either I or one of my sons reads Luke 2 every year before we open our Christmas presents. My sons have gotten so accustomed to doing it that they refuse to start opening their presents before Luke 2 is read.
C.: Wow! That puts me in the mood to give you your present a little early, d.c. Go ahead and open it. I want to see the look on your face when you see what I got you as a Christmas present.
d.: Well, okay… It’s my wallet. Hey, Cal.E., I had a C-note in here that I was going to use to buy a nice dinner for Eudora and me. She’s a little sad, since our middle son can’t come home for Christmas this year. He’s serving our country in the military. Where is the $100.00 bill I had in here?
C.: That’s all the time we have for today, folks, please join us tomorrow for another episode of Cal.E.’s Corner.
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