The Christmas Encounter

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. This year I’ve been more deliberate about keeping Christ in Christmas. Too many liberal agendas out there to remove Christ from everything. Therefore, I’ve intentionally said “Merry Christmas” to just about everyone I’ve greeted…at the service station, stores, dry cleaners, etc. Every one of them returned the blessing with another heartfelt “Merry Christmas to you too!”

My Christmas goes on through the New Year weekend…that’s when we go to Missouri to see my Mom and Stepfather. In fact, I do my shopping for them after Christmas and I usually can get some pretty good deals. So, that’s the plan for today and tomorrow. I did brave the Galleria yesterday. Something happened that was quite disturbing:

I was in JC Penney in the Men’s Department looking for a new pair of Dockers pants (I always buy myself something for Christmas). I overheard this man who was obviously from another country. He spoke with an accent and I couldn’t quite make it out. It was either Middle Eastern or maybe from a place like Turkey. Since it was difficult to find a store employee to help him, he asked (in English, but with an obvious accent) another customer to help him understand this particular sale for a shirt. He also had a receipt with him as though he was comparing the sale price with what was on his receipt. The other customer, a man probably in his late 50’s or early 60’s said in a louder than normal voice, “Speak English! Speak English! I can’t understand you. You better speak English around me! Speak English!” The less than helpful man walked away mumbling, “I don’t know anything about it, I don’t want anything to do with it.” The guy needing help just stood there in shock. He looked embarrassed, very sad and hurt by this rejection. I couldn’t stand it, so I went up to him and asked what he needed help with. I was not able to help him with his question, but a store employee finally came and did. He was grateful and thanked me for being nice and trying. As I turned to leave, I noticed the older guy that refused to try to help was still in the Department, not more than 30 feet away. He was looking at some pants with his wife and we briefly made eye contact. I almost went up to him to tell him that he just took Christ out of Christmas, but I didn’t. But I’m sure the look on my face sent a message that seared his skull and, hopefully, pierced his heart….

For Christmas, I actually baked a pie. It’s called Razzleberry Pie…with lots of blackberries and raspberries!! It was fantastic! The only thing missing was a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. I guess I’ll have to bake it again and get some ice cream just to get it right.

I must say that my cooking skills have been greatly enhanced this past year. My daughter, Bailey, says I make the best spaghetti ever. Recently, I’ve added a Mexican Chip Dip and a Spicy (not too spicy) Soup with pasta that will warm your soul…I still have to come up with a name for this. All my friends at church have been impressed. Next up, I think I’ll try something like Hawaiian Chicken.

Anyone else hungry? I’ll make sure I have enough to go around. Any Christmas Encounters you'd like to share?