Christmas time in Otter Creek has always been a special time. The people in this tiny community have over the years been relatively poor in comparison to other towns in Levy County. But being poor never stopped the residents of this quiet little town from having a good time at Christmas and always trying to do a little something for the children of the area. One of the traditions that dates all the way back to the 1950s when I was a little child there was the Christmas party that was held to give all the children and other residents a small brown bag of Christmas goodies.

 

Back in the 1950s and 60s the little brown bag was very appreciated by the hungry little kids that lived there! It usually contained an apple, an orange, two pecans, a walnut or two, a candy cane, and some other hard Christmas candy. The bags were prepared by whoever happened to be the city leaders at the time, or by the Otter Creek Baptist Church members. Before there was a city hall like there is today, this yearly tradition was always held at the church. Once the city hall and volunteer fire department buildings were built they began to assume the responsibility for this fun event. To sweeten the event for the children of the community there was a Christmas Party held as well at which all the local residents would bake cookies and make some of the best Christmas foods I have ever eaten for the event. Everyone in the vicinity was invited and almost without fail would turn out! It kind of always reminded me of Mayberry, on the Andy Griffith show! Old grudges and problems between the residents seem to melt away for at least this one evening of peace on earth, good will toward men.

 

The highlight of the night was the arrival of Santa Claus who would always arrive by way of the Fire Engine from the Otter Creek Volunteer Fire Department. The Fire Engine would come through the small community with the sirens blaring, signaling the arrival of the jolly fat man in the red flannel suit! He would then go into the city hall and sit down, giving all the little children a chance to sit on his lap and whisper in his ear their request for that year. The yearly tradition ended with the singing of a few Christmas songs and a thank you to all those that made the night so fun. Everyone would then depart to their own homes, full of good food and carrying their little bag of treats!

 

One year when I was Pastor of the Otter Creek Baptist Church I was approached about being “Santa Claus” that year for the town’s Christmas party. One thing I had never done, nor will again, is play the part of “Santa”! They kept pestering me until I relented because they couldn’t find any other sucker to take the part! They brought the Santa suit by the parsonage and to my surprise it fit rather well! The night came and I suited up after darkness fell and got ready for the Fire Engine to swing by and pick me up. We started on the parade route through our little town with the siren blaring and horn blowing as we circled though the mile and ½ of streets there a couple of times, giving all the children time enough to make it to the city hall, which was the landing zone for Santa.

Soon we rolled up to the hall to the cheers and greetings of all the residents and the kids of the little hamlet. Soon they led me to the special “Santa” seat reserved right next to the beautifully decorated tree and the children lined up to tell me what they wanted for Christmas. Things were going quite well and the line of 20 or so children was almost finished when Chrissy Morris, one of the little girls that attended our church with her grandmother climbed up into my lap. She looked intently into my eyes and then took me by the sides of my white Santa beard and said, “Hey, You’re not Santa Claus! You’re that little fat preacher from across the street at the church!” All the adults in the room roared with laughter! My wife burst into laughter too as my “cover” had now been blown by one of our own little church girls! I laughed as well and told them to never ask me to be Santa again! It was all in fun though and the tradition of bringing a little Christmas cheer to those that get very little during that part of the year continued and each child at least had their little bag of goodies at Christmas.

 

Many are opposed to Santa Claus, Christmas trees, and the traditions that have arisen around this time of year. I am not one of them, but I can understand that and each person in entitled to their point of view and belief. I hold to the belief that Christmas can be fun and you can still keep Jesus central in the season. I believe that Christmas is a day that is set aside to celebrate the birthday of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

 

The Bible says it this way, “At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” (Luke 2:1-14) (NLT)

 

We celebrate and give gifts at Christmas because 2000 years ago God gave the best gift the world has ever known, His only Son! Keep Christ in Christmas this year and every year! He is the Reason for the Season!