As you are reading this this installment of Gems of the Inbox remember the reason for the season.

   Like always have a Good Day and God Bless. You can always Email me your stories and/or comments at gemsfromtheinbox@powerlinemagazine.com.

The "W" in Christmas

Author Unknown

Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience.

I had cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing,
endless baking, decorating, and even overspending.

Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious
family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.

My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting
season for a six year old.

For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter Pageant."

I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production.
Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She
assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation.

All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then.

Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.

So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early,
found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room,

I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats.

As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied

by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by

one, rose to perform their song.

Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the
holiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial

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