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Hernando Today

A Christmas Sampler

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By MAUREA SLEESMAN

Special to Hernando Today

Published: December 25, 2008

WRITER'S NOTE: Merry Christmas! Don't we feel a special elation and fanfare elevating the best of mankind and our loved ones and neighbors each Dec. 25? I do. And I enjoy soliciting an annual sampler of reflections demonstrating some more unique aspects of Christmas and seasonal smiles. So grab a cookie and a cup to warm your day:

Fr. Craig Morley, St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Brooksville:

Formerly a helicopter pilot, this middle-aged man finally recently realized a long-held desire to become a Roman Catholic priest. New here, he is serving his first parish as the pastor. Some of his helicopter jobs included flying Santa to arrive among fanfare at shopping malls. He says Miami is especially pretty when flying over its dazzling big-city night-lights.

When asked about some favorite Christmas memories, he emphasized traditional family gatherings with all the Christmas trim and array of foods and festivity. "I grew up in Florida, not too far away. Brandon is where I was centered with my family. My sister - now in Lutz - got married and had/has such delightful children," Fr. Morley recalled. "Wherever we'd meet, we would add big extensions on the tables to fit us all in, and when I was young, the tree would wait for trimming until after my father was home. I like the turkey dark meat. We'd fight over the wishbone...

"So remember the family love. Remember the 'reason for the season,' the love of God Who gave us His Son. We should strive to try to share that love."

Indeed, the church has a simple tree trimmed with large yellow paper stars featuring anonymous name blanks for ages and gifts desired by local needy children, ripe for quiet sharing and charity.

"In church we try to target those who may attend only on Christmas and Easter. Most people are searching for something and should turn to God, but are reluctant out of pride or shame. My Christmas message is this: Remember during this season and always that Christ wants you to treat yourself and others as He would."

Joe Santerelli, head of Brooksville Ministerial Association, pastor of Hillside Community Baptist Church, father to six home-schooled children:

Pastor Joe e-mailed, re: 2007 "It was a peaceful, serene evening, one where memories would be made; this particular memory, however, was not scripted nor even dreamt of. While many had come to church to watch their children portray the Christmas story in all their youthful innocence, there was one among them who would demonstrate that the sin nature was alive and well. It happened to be my 15-month-old son Levi!

With Joseph and Mary seated in the makeshift stable and the shepherds entering from the left in worshipful fashion, Levi chose this moment to become the star, scene-stealer and criminal of the show. While cameras flashed and spectators awed, Levi quickly entered from the right and in one fluid motion grabbed Baby Jesus - a doll, of course - by the ankle and kept going, much to our embarrassment. He got away from Mary and Joseph who bumped into each other trying to stop him. Then he eluded the grasp of the oncoming shepherds and exited the stage all the while holding Baby Jesus upside-down much like a dead chicken. Peals of laughter arose as he left and was soon apprehended and exchanged his victim for the ransom of a chocolate-chip cookie. With the exchange made, Jesus was safely returned to his bed of hay and a unique memory of Christmas formed in the hearts and minds of all."

Pat Wolfarth, children's ministry director of Spring Hill United Methodist:

Her telephone conversation reflection: "On December 14 this year, we staged a large and handsome children's Nativity figurines' scene in the 'Lighthouse' building where their classes and children's church are held. Waiting for the day's lesson, a little boy age 5 remarked loudly, "Ya know, ya got the crib sitting right on Joseph's foot." True - accidentally it was... Later, when a little girl learned that Mary and Joseph were turned away from the crowded inn, she commented vociferously, "You'd think they'd make reservations!"

St. Andrew's Ukrainian Catholic Church:

Born in Ukraine, the blue-eyed and smiling Fr. Mikhail Kouts recalled a Christmastime event when he was playing the role of St. Nicholas. It was in his family's later relocation to Canada for a group of children, including his son Alexander, then age 8. Recognizing his father beneath the whiskers and costume, Alexander challenged him about being the "real Santa."

"I explained to him that, of course, I was the authentic, the real St. Nicholas, 'in that within such a short period of time all over the world, surely St. Nicholas himself cannot be possibly be everywhere.' I said. 'So he asks special helpers to aid him and so I am a real helper and therefore one of his own chosen... Well - that satisfied him anyway."

Via cell phone from Alabama, Pastor Richard Rossiter/ Cornernerstone Baptist Church:

"We wife and six young children have just arrived for family Christmas celebrations. I thought about the testimonial story we heard from a missionary. It represents Christmas and Christ's love.

"The missionary's daughter was 15 months old and very bright. The mother was telling her child about the Christian symbolism of candy canes, the 'white portion being like snow, and the purity of Christ, and His love for all people,' and especially the all-important value of 'how to share with people.'

The little girl was clearly impressed, for she stepped out onto the balcony and held her candy cane aloft and said just so simply and clearly, 'Share with people.' "

Weeki Wachee Nativity Lutheran member Cecil Bradley:

"Giving. Love. In our church outreach helping with the national Christmas Angel Tree program, begun by Charles Colson, we 'give' gifts children want 'from' their incarcerated parents. We just held our first such party for the young designated children. We had Christmas stories, games, snacks, carols and a visit to the sanctuary to see the Christmas tree and decorations. We gave them their parents' gifts and even delivered some to home situations where church attendance was not feasible.

"As part of the KAIROS prison ministry program begun locally by Bill and Odie Kruger, we distributed some 50 gift bags of toiletries to local incarcerated women at Hernando Correctional Facilities. The women in our group gave the gifts out to the inmates while we men sang carols outside their dormitory windows. One inmate sang back a beautiful and heartfelt thank you carol in response to us.

"Those two charity outreach events did more to set aflame my Christmas spirit than I can even begin to describe. I sincerely believe those efforts and events did that for all the donors and recipients, young and old."

Calvary Church of the Nazarene Pastor Dr. Wes Harris e-mailed:

"Aleta and I live far from our four grandchildren so we often watch 'The Christmas Miracle' unfold through the eyes of our church children. The 'resident Santa' and his wife bring giggles and belly laughs to small ones who bring out their lists, smile for photos and snack on tasty Christmas cookies. They dress up in angelic choir robes and sing songs of praise to the Christ Child who was born on Christmas Day.

The 'aha' moment never fails to arrive as history is read once again, from Luke: "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord." I love that moment, when we all feel like children again, receiving the Father's promise of Good News."

Hernando Today Editor Chris Wessel:

"My fondest Christmas memory was at my parents' home in Atchison, Kan., on Christmas break from college. After being out late with friends on Christmas Eve and into the wee hours of Christmas Day, I had finally made it to bed and was in a sound sleep when I awoke to the phone ringing. I looked at the clock and it was around 4:30 a.m. I rolled over, hoping whoever mistakenly was calling my parents' house would soon hang up.

"But the phone kept ringing. After more rings than I can could count half asleep, it finally stopped. A minute or so later, it started ringing again. No one was getting up to answer the phone. Ten rings, 11 rings, 12 rings. Frustrated, I rolled out of bed and headed for the phone. Fourteen rings, 15 rings... I picked up the receiver, expecting some nut to be on the other end of the line.

"'Merry Christmas,' my 72-year-old Grandmother Fran said from across town. 'Did Santa Claus come?'

"Huh? I said, shocked that my grandmother was calling so early Christmas Day. 'I'll be over in a few minutes.'

"I explained that it was 4:30 in the morning and that everyone was still asleep. That didn't seem to matter. She rang the doorbell 10 minutes later and everyone had to get up and open presents at 5 a.m. like we did when we were children. I didn't get much sleep that night, but having a 72-year-old woman bring back the Christmas spirit to a 19-year-old grandson was worth the lost sleep.

"My Grandmother Fran died the day after Christmas 14 years later on Dec. 26, 1993. I would give anything to be awoken by her at 4:30 a.m. on Christmas Day."

Maurea Sleesman is the religion writer for Hernando Today.

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