CHRISTMAS
THOUGHTS – MRS. RUTH KNOY
Written by Luz Leigh – 11 December 2007
During the
next few days I will be writing some thoughts
about Christmas. Some will be serious; some
lighthearted. And many will have to do with
Christmas cards. I love to receive Christmas
cards as well as send them. However, I am such
a procrastinator. Here it is the 11th
of December and I have yet to sign or address
one card! I have gotten about ten…..the first
one on the 30th of November. WOW.
On December
3rd I went to my mail box and there
was a card that took my breath away. I
recognized the familiar handwriting; there in
the upper left corner of the envelope was a
return address label with the name of a dear
friend who died during the fall of this
year. I quickly looked at the
postmark….”Houston, TX 772 01 Dec 2007 PM 2
T”. Now, I don’t believe in ghosts or folks
who claim to speak with the spirits of the
dead, but, hey, here is a letter from Mrs.
Knoy. With trembling hands, I opened the
envelope. There inside was a Christmas card on
the front of which was a beautiful drawing of
the three wise men with a star shining
brightly. I opened the card and in that
familiar handwriting were these words: The
angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring
you good news of great joy.” Luke 2:10 NIV
The printed
verse said “May your Christmas be blessed with
the love of our Lord.” Mrs. K had not signed
the card, but her son had written “My Mother
already addressed this card. Bill.”
Now talk
about being prepared. This little lady was
ninety-one years old and until the very last
days of her life had been very active in her
church and around her home. In the year 2006,
she still worked a fairly large garden at her
home in Wisconsin. Because the harsh winters
had become hard for her body to endure, she
spent the cold months in Texas, returning
North in late spring to avoid our hot
temperatures. Somehow she knew she had to get
her Christmas cards ready for mailing. And
thanks to a faithful and loving son, the cards
went out as she had planned.
In her 2006
Christmas card, which had a picture of a
lighted red candle, placed by an open Bible,
with sticks of cinnamon tied in red and gold
ribbons lying next to it, she had written
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with
exceeding great joy. Matt. 2:10”. There was
also a printed verse giving the usual warm
Christmas wishes, but that verse she had
written came from the heart. Mrs. K had also
written a lengthy note telling of how her home
church had honored her with a surprise 90th
birthday party. I quote: “We had pizza,
salads, cake & drinks, non-intoxicating!!” She
went on to tell of gifts she received and that
even her youngest great-great grandson was
there….at the ripe old age of 17 days.
She signed
the card very simply: “Merry Christmas, Ruth”
Never in her
wildest dreams did she know that a year later
someone would be sharing her thoughts with the
world. Somehow, I know she is pleased. She
wanted everyone to know the true meaning of
Christmas. Sharing is a part of that.
Thank you,
Mrs. Ruth Knoy, for allowing me to be a part
of your life the last two years. Your
faithfulness to HIM was evidenced by your very
life.
