Treasuring Christmases Past

Kerry Willis - December 8, 2021

When i glance in the rearview mirror of my life, many of the things i miss most have happened during the season of Christmas.

One of those memories is strong in my mind now. When our children were ages 5 and 3 -- after tucking them in bed on Christmas Eve of 1991, and while Kim was wrapping gifts, i drove to my dear friend, David's house.

David was an exceptional artist and called himself "Santa's elf" at Christmastime, because he always painted artwork through the night each Christmas Eve, completing late projects for his customers to pick up by daylight on Christmas morning.

i miss the strong memory of sitting until about midnight on that particular Christmas Eve with my dear, kind, and talented friend. i still remember the peace of the companionship we enjoyed and the depth of the conversation we shared.

Little did i know it would be my last Christmas Eve as a resident of my native North Carolina island home. In 1992, we moved to Colorado Springs for Bible College and then onto Virginia. And little did i realize David would pass away a few years later.

i treasure especially that specific season of Christmases Past. Our children are now 34 and 32, and while David is now in Heaven and i presently live in Cape May, New Jersey, i still own enough of David’s artwork to warm my heart and to inspire my soul.

i am doubly blessed by yesterday's Christmas memories and today's Christmas moments. In fact, my treasured memories remind me of this verse from the first Christmas story:

“But Mary treasured all these things in her heart and often pondered what they meant.” Luke‬ ‭2:19‬ ‭TPT‬‬

All Joy to Your World! Treasure the Season! Jesus is the Season and we are the reason.

Pastor Kerry Willis

Philadelphia District Servant

graynalli@aol.com