Reflections on Christmas's Long Past
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| The scent of pine |
I have never lost that sense of wonder of those Christmas's so long ago. My early recollections revolved around the carefully planned Christmas Eve services in the heart of Mexico.
I fondly recall the scent of pine branches covering the churches cold,bare,concrete floor where the smaller children sat and later fell asleep. The older ones sitting on the long hard wooden benches arranged by age, and boys and men on one side and across the isle the girls and women sat with babies wrapped in black shawls. A Christmas tree adorned the platform. There was music from the pump organ and the accordion, long recitations from the Scripture leading well into mid-night.
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| The Church As I Remember it |
My heavy eye lids, trying to stay awake and then awakened for the hike back up the mountain toward home to a full moon lighting the way. My brothers & sister racing to see who could reach home first. The full moons were awesome.
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| A Brown Bag with hard candy, peanuts, and an orange was the only gift we received some Christmas's |
As each of us left the service we eagerly received a lunch size brown paper bag with goodies in them which included an orange, peanuts, and old fashion-like hard candy. Sometimes that was the only gift we got.
To this day, the smell of the long-leaf pine evokes memories of those Christmas's past. Memories are rekindled each time I hear the rustle of the wind through the pine trees. I am also reminded of some of my romps through the forest on the mountain side and hearing the wind move through the trees.
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| Johnnie A., Eddie, Ruthie, & Dad |
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| A church service with mother at the pump oregon |
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| The boys singing-Boys & Men sat on one side, girls & women on the other |
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| Our Sunday School Class |
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