In Dickens,  A Christmas Carol,  the ghost of Christmas past is Scrooge’s first visitor after his partner Marley leaves.

The story reads:

“Are you the Spirit, sir, whose coming was foretold to me?” asked Scrooge.

“I am.”

The voice was soft and gentle. Singularly low, as if instead of being so close beside him, it were at a distance.

“Who, and what are you?” Scrooge demanded.

“I am the Ghost of Christmas Past.”

“Long Past?” inquired Scrooge: observant of its dwarfish stature.

“No. Your past.”

Scrooge reverently disclaimed all intention to offend or any knowledge of having willfully bonneted the Spirit at any period of his life. He then made bold to inquire what business brought him there.

“Your welfare,” said the Ghost.

By looking at our Christmas Past, are there lessons to be learned for our own welfare?   As I look back, one of the most memorable for me was the Christmas of my sixteenth year.

I was a Sophomore in high school.  Two classes joined together to provide Sub for Santa for a family in need.  In fact we had two families.  I was on the committee to interview one of the families for their particular needs.

As I entered the trailer of this family, I was in shock at the disarray of my surroundings.  The place was a mess.  A toddler sat in a high chair playing with a dead chicken.  I kid you not!  A pair of newborn twins lay on on a bare  mattress covered with  a worn out blanket.  I couldn’t get out of there fast enough.

The class not only provided needed gifts, but a Christmas tree.  I was not with the group when the tree was delivered, but was one of those who went back with gifts on Christmas Eve.

I did not look forward to returning to that unkempt, stinky home.   Christmas Eve arrived and we went to the home with a ton a needed items….. food, clothing, toys, bedding.

When we arrived, a smiling mother answered the door.   We were was surprised to see that the place has been cleaned up and the tree, with it’s sparkling lights, stood in the corner.   A weeping father sat in a chair holding the twins.

We placed the gifts under the tree and sang a Christmas carol or two before we left.  We may have provided physical needs for the family, but I departed the home carrying the greater gift…. a new heart!

Even after all these years, their faces, filled with joy and gratitude, is fixed in my minds eye. Who was I to judge circumstances?  It had become my honor to help provide a “leg up” for a family in need.

I went home with a full heart!  Christmas was the next day… but I had already received my gift.

Till Later,

Kathy
Insightful Nana

P.S.  What is your most memorable Christmas Past?