Merry Christmas!
Day 312 of Photo Inspirations — MERRY CHRISTMAS
Just look at this sweet sunbeam! Yesterday, I walked into Reasor’s Grocery Store in Jenks, the cafe side. The cashier at that side of the store, Beverly, was beaming from ear-to-ear and greeted me, “Good Morning! It’s a great day for sweaters, isn’t it (I had on a sweater)?” I have never been into that store that Beverly wasn’t cheery with that delightful smile.
With my shopping done, I headed to Beverly’s register. I told her “What a blessing it is to see you….always so full of joy. You are the PERFECT one to be here at the entrance.” She promptly said, “Oh, I’m sure not perfect, but I sure try to be the best I can be!” I replied, “There’s no one perfect but Jesus…..right?” She agreed. Then, I whispered…..”Merry Christmas”, and she quickly replied, “Merry Christmas to you. Mr. Reasor says it’s okay for us to say ‘Merry Christmas’. In fact, he let’s me put my NOEL sign up here at my register.” I told her that makes me want to buy my groceries there even more now. I headed out the door and it hit me, “I know what my photo inspiration will be for tomorrow!” I asked Beverly if I could take her photo for my blog today. Now…..you know what a sunbeam looks like.
I could go on about being a bright light to our world and if ever our world needed more Beverlys in it, it does today! St. Francis said, “Preach the Gospel at all times, and sometimes use words.” Beverly is preaching the good news every day with her happy heart and encouraging smile.
My Starbucks Coffee Cup photo here was inspired by the recent “red cup without snowflakes or representation of Christmas on it” issue. Someone got uptight about it. Seriously? I think that guy hangs out at Starbucks too much and too much time on his hands. But, his uptightness (Is that a word?) has sure given Starbucks a boatload of free marketing. They’ve gotta love it. But, I’m sure not going to get on that band wagon. The cup is bright red like bright red Christmas lights and ornaments. Oh, and here’s really good news for that uptight guy. They still sell their “Christmas” Blend Coffee.
Back to the conversation that Beverly and I had — I won’t let anyone keep me from declaring in my greetings and my spirit and my outward joy….”Merry Christmas”. I agree with columnist Rachel Held Evans when she said, “The whole story of Advent is the story of how God CAN’T be kept out. God IS present. God IS with us. God shows up — not with a parade but with the whimper of a baby, not among the powerful, but among the marginalized, not to the demanding, but to the humble.”
Yes, it’s more important than ever that Christians stand courageously and boldly for Jesus. But it’s also crucial that we do so with a positive, joyful spirit…..like Beverly’s. We know how the story ends. We know that the Bible is true, and heaven is real. We know that the One, Jesus Christ, who came as a baby will come again as a King. And we know that one day, we will be celebrating Christmas eternally with Him!
Merry Christmas to all…..and to all….a really GOOD Saturday!