It's that time of year again and we are made to rejoice that Christ was born in Bethlehem.
    The heavenly host sang, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men." We don't know just the time of Jesus' birth. It surely was not winter for the shepherds were watching their flocks at night. Had it been cold, they would have had shelter. Nonetheless, we observe this Christmas as His birthday, just as we observe Easter and other holy days.
    We like to remember the Christmas days we celebrated in yesteryears.
    Nothing is more true that one can never go back to what once was, but we can go back in memory and recall those events in our lives.
    We looked forward all year to Christmas. Preparations would begin early in the month. We would all be getting ready for a tree and the program at our schoolhouse. We all worked together to make it a success. Folks would come for miles around, in wagons, buggies, and on horseback.
    A Santa would be there to distribute gifts. There would be sacks of apples, candy and nuts for everyone.
    Then we would come home. There would be our tree all trimmed in popcorn balls, strings of cranberries and other homemade ornaments. There was the fragrance of the cedar all through the house. To this day, when I smell cedar, it takes me back to when I was a little girl. We hung our stockings by the fireside, and the next morning there would be apples, oranges and candy to the top. And always a new china doll.
    We believed there was a Santa. It was not deceiving of our parents to tell us there was a Santa, for when all is said and done he is the spirit of giving. And if we give in love, Jesus said, we were giving to Him.
    I wish all of you a happy Christmas and would like to send you those gifts that money cannot buy ... happiness, laughter, joy and love.

Mellie Smith
undated