A child has been born—for us! The gift of a Son—for us! His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness. (Isaiah 9:6, The Message)
May God bless you as you celebrate his coming. With love, The Nyman Family
Ring those bells!
”It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” or so the song tells us. Although we hear reports of people over-extending their credit and over-indulging their appetites, the Christmas season does bring out the good in humanity. Today our family saw that up close, when we rang bells for the Salvation Army.
Three years ago, our extended family took a short mission trip that included Christmas day (see blog two days hence), and ever since, some of us have wanted to try another service project. Linnea investigated the Salvation Army and learned they were still looking for bell ringers. We signed up for two-hour time slots at two Walmart entrances and this morning took our turn with the bells.
The Salvation Army is a Christian church started nearly 150 years ago in England. Although their greatest passion is to see people saved by grace through Christ, they also work hard to help those they call “down and outers.” Their strategy is to follow three S’s: first soup, then soap and finally salvation.
The Army is one of the most popular charities in the world, ranking #4 (of 100) in the United States and operating in 122 countries. They’re often the first to show up at disaster areas and the last to leave, sometimes working for years to help refugees in one area.
This year there were over 25,000 volunteer bell ringers during their annual Christmas fundraiser, each wearing the red apron and standing next to the traditional kettles. Children love to “feed the red pots” and banter with the bell ringers, hoping for a chance to handle the bell.
It was a cold day in Michigan City but all the babies joined us for the event, bringing lots of attention and extra donations because they were there. Skylar and Nicholas never tired of putting coins into the kettles, scrutinizing the sidewalks for stray pennies (and finding them), after our supply had run out.
I’m ashamed to say how few red kettles I’ve fed over sixty-plus years of seeing/hearing them in front of stores. After being a ringer, I plan to contribute to every kettle I pass. It embarrasses me to admit I wrongly assumed ringers were there as a form of community service or even punishment for a crime. To the contrary, they’re all ringing because they want to help.
Our first donator was a woman shepherding six children. She made the effort to dig out a contribution, showing her children what it looked like to be a cheerful giver. Others dug into their pockets, wallets and purses, even if it took several minutes. Some came straight from the parking lot with donations already in their palms, prepared to participate.
A special donator was the woman who asked if I was cold. When I said, “Only a little,” she said, “Do you drink coffee?” Then she offered to buy a cup and bring it to me, a kind gesture I won’t forget.
I’m not sure how much money we raised for the Army’s three S’s, but it was an honor to wear the red apron, greet shoppers with “Merry Christmas!” and ring the bell.
Maybe we’ll do it again next year.
“The poorest of the poor will find pasture, and the needy will lie down in safety.” (Isaiah 14:30)
Hot, Warm, Cool, Cold (by Jack)
When I heard all 15 of our family members were coming for Christmas, I was hot on the idea. I donned my red holiday collar and did my best tail-wagging when each arrived.
But now that we’re together, I’m beginning to cool on the whole thing. Actually I lost my cool entirely this morning when two of the babies used me as a climbing wall. I erupted with a growl that surprised even me, and although I didn’t hurt anyone, I was soundly reprimanded.
Don’t get me wrong. I love the little ones. Mealtimes are extremely rewarding with babies on the guest list. I plant myself near their three high chairs and patiently wait for droppings. As soon as eating begins, rich bounty comes my way.
But the life Midge and I normally have has gone out the window, partly because of the crowd under our roof but partly because we’re literally getting new windows installed this week. That’s right. The old windows are being pried out (with loud crow bars and electronic saws) and new ones are being put in (with loud banging and electronic hammers).
Naps are interrupted and the house gets cold, but Midge told me it’s the best Christmas present she could receive this year. I know the old windows have been cloudy and drafty, but the main reason she’s so hot on new ones is that Pidge was the one who gave them to her. Since he’s been gone for over a year, this gift is extra special.
During these days of way too much noise and activity, I’ve done my best to be adorable and accommodating, but one dog can only do so much. And it’s not like my life hasn’t been altered, too. Daily walks to the beach with Midge have disappeared, and Nelson takes me now. I’m just glad he’s thinking of my needs, because Midge is paying far more attention to the little people than to me.
I spend much of my day looking for her and sometimes can’t find her at all. Someone else is sleeping in her bedroom, and other people are driving her car.
Today the kids all went sledding. These are young children who’ve never done it before, three from England and two from Florida. Because our street is covered with icy snow, the sleds flew along at quite a clip, giving the kids a thrill and prompting parental videos. I love the cold and warmed up to the sliding fun, running alongside. But when I tried to grab the sleds between my teeth, I got yelled at.
Sometimes I wish I wasn’t the favorite animal of two toddlers, two crawlers and one hair-twister. But then there’s tonight when my heart grew so warm, it melted. Skylar was making the rounds to say good night and stopped to talk to me. Although I was lying down (worn out from a day of trying to avoid babies), she got down on her tummy, nose-to-nose with me, and lovingly said, “Good night, Jackie. You’re a very good boy.”
Swoon.
Did I mention I was really hot on the idea of having our whole family together this Christmas?
“Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13:7)