Merry Christmas///As in Olden Days Conclusion.

GUYS IT'S CHRISTMAS! Merry Christmas to all of you!

Wow, can you believe it's actually Christmas? A day for gathering with family. A day for smiles and laughter, and cooking and opening gifts.
Yet, it's so, SO much more. As we celebrate CHRISTmas, let's remember the true reason we celebrate. And let's keep the baby in a manger, our rising King, foremost in our minds.
This is one of my very favorite Christmas songs. Hope being born for a sin cursed world is what we celebrate today, guys. Can we just take a moment to think of just how significant that is?

So. Did you listen to the song? Well then now I'll give you the conclusion of the story. ;)

By the time David, Rafe, and Gil made their way to the Sullivan house, everyone else was awake, and Janie ran to meet them at the door.

A crown creased her forehead as she pulled on David’s arm. “Come on, you’ve got to hurry. We’ve waited soooo long!”

David cocked an eyebrow as he hung his jacket, and then turned to her.  “So long? How long?”

“Many, many hours!” Janie exclaimed. “You should learn to get up earlier.”

David chuckled as he followed her into the living room. The fact that the clock had only just chimed 7am seemed to be of no concern to her.

“Good morning, boys.” Mrs. Sullivan greeted with a smile as they stepped into the kitchen. “Would you like a cup of coffee before heading into the living room?”

Rafe snatched the cup she was holding before she finished speaking. With a grin, he took a sip. “Thanks, mom. You’re swell.”

She shook her head at him. “Be patient, Rafe.”

Taking another swallow of the coffee, he sighed. “How can I be patient when looking forward to your coffee is the only thing that makes me get up in the morning?”

At that, Mrs. Sullivan chuckled. “Oh, you are a sly one, aren’t you? Go on into the living room before Janie decides to hijack your presents from beneath the tree.” As she was talking, she poured two more mugs of coffee and handed them to David and Gil.

Finally, everyone made their way into the living room. Mr. Sullivan sat on the sofa, a smile on his face as he watched all the excitement.  

Elaine, who had been softly playing the piano, came to stand beside David. Lily and Anne had been poring over a book on the couch, but Lily’s face met up when she saw Gil, and and she stood and hurried to greet him.

Elaine whispered to David, “you think he’s as in love with her as she is with him?”

Remembering last night's conversation, David grinned and nodded. “You bet he is.”

As Mrs. Sullivan sat at the couch, Mr. Sullivan cleared his throat. “Well, if we’re all here, let’s begin.”

Janie, who sat at her father’s feet, suddenly stilled as he took the Bible and turned to the book of Luke.

Mr. Sullivan’s voice broke the silence, as the familiar story once again filled the room.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

As soon as the reading was done, Janie jumped to her feet. “Presents now, right?”

Mr. Sullivan smiled, his blue eyes crinkling. “No, we’re going to pray first.”

Janie settled back down, her eyes glued to the stack of presents underneath the tree, until he tapped her head. “You need to close your eyes, Janie.”

David watched as a sheepish look spread across her face, and her hands were folded and placed on her lap.

“Dear Father in heaven. We thank you for this day that you’ve given us. We thank you for sending your son to this earth as a baby, to live a sinless life, and to ultimately die on Calvary, paying the price for our sins. In your name we pray, amen."

As he looked up, he nodded at Janie. “Yes, now you may go and get a gift.”

With a squeal she rushed toward the tree, her eyes shining.

David watched it all with only a bit of interest. Gifts were nice, but they didn’t mean near as much to him as did the people who gave them. He looked around the room. Mom and Anne were assisting Janie in passing out the gifts. Rafe was watching it all, still enjoying his coffee. Lily and Gil were absorbed in a conversation.

Elaine had returned to the piano as soon as reading was done, and soft carols played in the background.

David smiled softly as he watched the scene, his heart full. A sudden movement caused him to turn, and he saw his father walk up beside him, and place a hand on his shoulder. “You seem quiet this morning. What are you thinking of?”

Shrugging, David shook his head. “I’m not quite sure. It’s just that, on days like today, on Christmas, everything seems so--” he paused as though searching for the right word.

“Perfect?” Dad suggested. “Or about as close to perfect as you can get on this earth.”

David nodded. “Yeah.”

With a smile, dad said, “Remember, David. Family is one of the most important gifts God's given us. No matter where you may be a year from now, or two years from now, you can always look forward this. Things change, and perhaps  life will never be quite as perfect as it does today, but we’ll all still be here. And no matter where life may take you, you can always look forward to next year, where we’ll be together again.”

For a moment, David was quiet as he pondered Dad’s words. His thoughts always seemed to tumble around themselves in his head, and for some reason, Dad always seemed to know exactly what he struggling to put into words. At last he turned. “Thanks, Dad.”

Mr. Sullivan nodded, his normally twinkling eyes sober. “Family is always there, David. Always. And no matter where life leads, we’ll be here waiting. Waiting till we can be together again.”

“Hey, Dave.” 

David turned as Gil walked up beside him. 

“You want to head out to the barn with me? I told Rafe I’d make sure the animals were fed and the ice broken in the trough.”

“Shouldn’t he be the one doing it, seeing as how he was up late to help at your house?” David asked, cocking his head.

“Well, yes.” Gil grinned. “But I wanted to talk to you.:

“Don’t be out too long, boys. You’ll miss Mother’s delicious breakfast,” Mr. Sullivan said, his eyes twinkling.

David grinned. “No, sir. We’ll be back in here before you can Rafe can eat it all.” He stepped into the kitchen and threw his jacket on, and pulled the mittens from the pockets and put them on his hands.

As he followed Gil out into the bitter cold world, David closed the door behind him and stopped. “What is it?”

Gil turned, and David noticed the excitement evident on his face. “I asked her, David. I asked her to marry me, and she said yes!”

“Wait, you asked her this morning?” David couldn’t believe he’d missed it all.

Nodding, Gil said, “I couldn’t wait any longer. And so I asked her.”

David shook his head, as a smile spread across his face. “Gil, congratulations!” He slapped Gil’s shoulder, and went to shake his hand, but Gil pulled him into a hug instead. “You’ve been a good friend to me, David. I thank you for that.”

“You’ve been the same for me.” David said, as he stepped back.

The resumed walking to the barn, each man quiet with his own thoughts. Suddenly, Gil turned.

“Dave, what were you going to ask me earlier? In the barn at my house?”

In the barn? David thought back,recalling their conversation. “Oh, that..” He chuckled. “When I thought I’d have to get government permission. I was just going to ask . . .” He met Gil’s gaze.  “Where do you see us next year?”

Gil’s eyes turned sober. “Honestly? I don’t know. If things in Europe keep on as they are, if we end up in the war . . ..” he let his voice trail off.

David nodded. “Yeah.”

Once again silence fell, and then Gil spoke. “Promise me something, David.”

Wondering at the strange request, David nodded slowly,. “Anything”

“No matter what happens this next year, we won’t let anything take away our friendship.”

His eyebrows furrowing in the middle, David frowned. “Why--”

“Just promise me, David,” Gil’s eyes didn’t leave his face. “Promise me we’ll always be brothers.”

He didn't know why it meant to much to Gil, but it did. “Yes, I promise. We’ll be friends till the sun quits shining and the stars meet the sea.”

Gil chuckled. “That’s a long time.”

“Yeah, that’s the point.” David grinned. “We’ll be friends till God calls us home, and even then, we’ll still be friends--brothers--waiting to be reunited on the other side of the pearly gates.”

A smile spread it’s way across Gil’s face. “Sounds like a plan. Well, what do you say we get these animals fed?”
With that, both men turned and made their way through the snow to the barn. The sun shone down on the little farm, causing it to glisten. Smoke drifted from the chimney, till is vanished in the icy air.

And yet another Christmas passed, leaving the small town unchanged as they celebrated the birth of the Saviour.

No one knew what the new year would bring, but everyone was content to live one day at a time, trusting that the One who held the future would know what was best for them.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, Y'ALL!