Christmas Blog Hop - December 10, 2012
Greetings, one and all. My mind hangs
out in the 40's a lot because of what I'm writing, so it went there again
today.
Christmas must have taken a back seat in 1941
with Pearl Harbor so fresh, and so many families missing loved ones. Two of my
mom’s three brothers joined the infantry to fight in Europe.
I doubt they had been exposed to George MacDonald’s Uncle Peter, but this
enigmatic character captured my imagination the first time I read his story to
our children (The Christmas Stories of George MacDonald/David C. Cook, 1981). The author brings to life a man not everyone would find
delightful. Born on Christmas Day, Uncle Peter set out to make every Christmas
special, regardless of his financial capacity.
Like Uncle Billy in It’s A Wonderful Life, someone could easily take advantage
of him. But Uncle Peter lived above the fray. He paid particular attention to
children, especially the disadvantaged who roamed the streets.
Generous to a fault, this bachelor
surprised his kin with trips to toy and candy stores, going overboard in his
gift giving. He also made sure no house on his street with little children was
forgotten, employing his nephew in delivering munificent Yuletide packages.
Maybe you recall such a family member who took time to dress in a Santa suit
just for the joy of it, or created look-alike cousin outfits. Mom’s brother
became Santa for us one Christmas, and on a summer weekend, he brought a box
kite for us to fly. With every visit, he made it clear we mattered to him.
George McDonald thought the world
of Uncle Peter, but Peter didn’t necessarily think much of himself. One
Christmas day, he wandered about dispensing three-penny pieces to needy London
children, feeling of little good to anyone.
A particularly ragged child caught his eye. He gave her a double portion and
discovered her name—Little Christmas. She stole his heart, so he gave her a
shilling. Still, he felt he must do more, especially upon discovering her
“aunt” sent her out to make money each day but whipped her for meager earnings.
Uncle Peter took her in and provided for her from then on.
The story continues . . . I hope you’re intrigued. Uncle Peter’s connection with
Christmas meant everything—it changed his life.
He even wished to die on Christmas Day. MacDonald leaves that detail to our
imaginations, but provides us with one powerful concept: “ . . . Christmas Day
makes all the days of the year as sacred as itself.”
Taking an hour out of our busy schedules to let Uncle Peter ignite the best in
us might not be a bad idea. Then I’ll bake a batch of my husband’s favorite
treat—Mexican wedding cookies. They put a light in our grandchildren’s eyes,
too—isn’t that what Christmas is all about?
Such an easy recipe--Mix 1 c of each:
butter, flour, powdered sugar, chopped pecans
Add 1teaspoon vanilla and refrigerate for an
hour or so. Roll into balls or shape crescents. Bake on ungreased sheet for 15
mins/350 degrees. Remove to newspaper for 5 mins. Roll in powdered
sugar--enjoy.
Karla
Akins-15th http://envisionpublishing.tumblr.com
