A few Christmas sentiments

And remembering Stuart Church, our recently departed family member

“Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” —Clement Moore

Well, as I write this, it’s not night, Christmas is still a couple of days away, and as far as I know there’s not a mouse in our house—stirring or otherwise. But it’s Christmas time for sure—has been since Halloween in many stores and definitely was in full swing (as usual) by Thanksgiving.

As a happily married gentleman, I leave the shopping for presents to my better half…with one exception…I do buy gifts for my wife. This entails an afternoon trip to the nearby mall, usually done on a Sunday in mid-December. For the past three-to-four years I’ve availed myself of a gift-wrapping service that was doing business there, letting them wrap the boxes and install the pretty bows. But this service was nowhere to be found this past Sunday (Dec. 15) when I showed up to make my holiday purchases.

So, rusty though I may be, I came home, hid the purchase, and then, a couple of hours ago, took a roll of paper, scotch tape, and scissors to a table in the basement, retrieved the merchandise, and went to work. Not being overly concerned about the outcome as far as each present being picture-perfect in its look, I was soon done with the wrapping. I found some red bows that had been saved from last year and added that flourish to my handiwork.

“Not bad,” I told myself.

Of course, not necessarily ‘good’ either, but (as they say) “it’s the thought that counts.”

On Thursday we put out the Christmas issue of the ‘Fowlerville News & Views’. There’s a Nativity scene on the front page with the heading ‘Area residents to celebrate Christmas this week.’ I don’t get too specific on how or where they might do this, other than to make the observation that many folks—me included—will attend Candlelight Services at the church of our choice on Christmas Eve and will gather with family and friends at some point during the holiday.

Of course, not everyone will follow those two traditions due either to circumstance or choice. And despite the song saying, “It’s the happiest time of the year,” this is not the case for everyone. Our family will enjoy each other’s company, watch the youngsters in our midst as they deal with the decorated tree and the wonderous array of wrapped gifts under it, but our holiday season has been saddened by the loss of Stuart Church—my wife’s older brother. He had been suffering from the gradual deterioration of his health from Parkinson’s disease; a descent that took a turn for the worse just a few days ago. His final breath came this past Tuesday.

The ‘Blue Christmas’ that has become a popular observance for churches in recent years—usually coinciding with the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year serving as a metaphor—is definitely the case for Stuart’s family and friends.

I sent a text to his wife, Marie, shortly after his passing, noting that:

Stuart was a man of quiet strength. Humble with the added virtues of kindness and caring.

And offered these (hopefully) comforting words from St. Paul…

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day—and not only me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Stuart trained and drove Standardbred harness horses for most of his working life, so ‘the race’ mentioned in the Bible verse would have extra meaning in his case. As for dealing with his disease, he did so with humor, grace, and quiet dignity—the ‘good fight’ if you will. The many people who offered comments on social media at the news of his death, expressing their condolences, testified that he was indeed a humble, kind, and caring man; one willing to help others. Those he worked with in the harness-racing business, a close-knit group, pointed to these qualities of character.

Such sentiments, these expressions of sympathy, are what help sustain us in the dark period of grief and emptiness that comes with losing a loved one— words of affection which provide us with a measure of comfort.

I’ve written a few columns with a Christmas theme over the years. In most cases, I’ve mentioned the ‘star over a manger’…referring to it as the “light of hope.”

I guess whether your Christmas this year is one of festivity and merriment or the ‘blue’ variety—or some combination of both—hope is what we take with us as we move forward. Hope for those we love as family and friends. Hope for our neighbors, the community we call home, and this nation. Hope as well for a better and kinder world. For peace on earth, good will to all.

Merry Christmas.

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Steve Horton is a mid-Michigan journalist.