The part we sometimes forget
Well, here it is
"Oh, hear the angels' voices
I have everything I want so I have no wish list to publish.
"For unto you is born this day
There is one really nice thing I found out about this week and I would like to share it with you. When I was in Florence Monday for the city council meeting I stopped by the Chuck Wagon Café to see if the owner, Linda Britton, was going to serve Christmas dinner again this year to people who might find themselves alone on Christmas Day. Linda was not there, but several of the patrons said they thought she was planning on it. I called her later to make sure.
"Well, yeah," she said, as if it was silly of me to think otherwise. I asked about the menu and serving times. I told her I would get the information in the calendar column. We chatted a bit and her final words were, "Tell them this
"Peace on earth, good will toward man
The meal is free to anyone. No small chunk of change, I'm sure. The tradition started a couple of years ago and she served a small group. No advertising; folks just knew by word of mouth. Last year she ran an ad and we did a story about her generosity. The group of diners grew. She filled a need. She has no idea how many to expect this year, but she will feed them until the food runs out because no one should be alone on Christmas. A celebration of giving, just as the day is supposed to be.
"Let every heart prepare Him room
Doesn't matter who it is. Doesn't matter why they come. Doesn't matter what they do or don't. All are welcome. Join in. Thanks, Linda, for reminding us. May the rest of us take this message to heart and know the real peace and joy of the season. And wouldn't it be nice if we could hold that in our hearts for the rest of the year?
"The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight."
Merry Christmas!
— SUSAN MARSHALL
