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Once again, we were anxiously waiting for the signal. With our piles of blankets pulled up
close to our noses, we listened to see if we could hear that signal. Normally,
we were none too ready to get up on those cold Ohio mornings. The only heat source in the house was the
coal stove in the living room. Our
bedrooms were freezing cold, so we’d wait as long as possible under our warm
blankets before getting out of bed on a wintry morning. This morning was
different though, because it was Christmas.
All eight of us kids could hear the
sounds that were signs that Mom was up. There was her early morning cough, the shuffle of her feet on the
linoleum floor in the kitchen, the opening of the
door to let out the dog, the scrapping of the
grate to remove the ashes, and the coal being added to renew the
fire. Yet we still waited for the
annual signal to get out of bed.
Being the
youngest, I remember asking why we had to wait to get up. After all it was
Christmas morning! Weren’t the rest
of them anxious to see what they got as presents? We’d get the usual socks and underwear. Mom would knit
mittens, hats, and scarves. There’d be the
candy canes and mixed nuts. Maybe this year we’d get that special gift, if Mom
and Dad had enough money.
One year Mom told me not to tell my sister, Elsie, that she
was getting the typewriter she
wanted. I promised not to say a word. So, when Elsie asked if I knew what she
was getting, I didn’t say a word. No, not me! I just made a typing motion with
my hands and tapped the side of her
face. Elsie smiled!
Oh, there is another sound. Is it the
signal? No, it’s just Mom letting the
dog back in. Oh, when would it come? When would we hear that signal? When could
we see what we got under that huge Christmas tree? Well, it seemed huge to me!
It was usually about three feet tall, but looked bigger sitting up on top of the old record cabinet. Up there
it was at least six feet tall!
Wait, I think I finally hear it! The signal that we can get
up! Mom is ringing the Christmas
bell to let  us know that she lovingly warmed up the
living room so it is toasty warm. It was her annual first gift of Christmas
morning.
They are gone now; Mom, Dad, and that tiny old house. Mom,
Dad, and our oldest brother are
awaiting the return of Jesus. The
old house had to be torn down. It was worn out and caving in. Elsie said that the only thing holding it together
was the love that was still there.
Remembering the
days long past reminds me that there
are other signs we should be paying
attention to today. They are signs that another
signal is about to take place. Oh, it is not the
sound of a tiny Christmas bell telling us that we can get out of bed. No, this
signal is the sound of a trumpet
telling us that Jesus is returning.
He is lovingly preparing a warm house for us. It is almost
time for those who are sleeping in their
graves to get up. Are you anxious for that day? Will you be ready for the signal and that great getting up morning? Please
meet me there!
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Phyllis Andrew 3ABN Accounting
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