I’ve been working at a retail store for the Christmas season. It's a local retail store mainly in
the Midwest, similar to K-mart. Anyway, they
have a Christmas playlist that loops every few hours. All of the employees would agree, they’re not
the best Christmas songs.
There isn’t a “Holy Night” or a “Rudolph the Red nosed
reindeer” or even a “White Christmas.” Many of the songs are obscure and some
downright depressing. But I found one song I kinda liked: “All I Want for
Christmas is You.” I looked forward to every time it played.
I spent my first holiday month there helping with the
Angel Tree. This is a program run by Salvation Army where needy kids and
seniors are hooked up with individuals and families to supply their needs.
One young couple wwhoithout kids came in and the wife was very
sweet and generous. She started picking out a girl name and then thought she
should pick out a boy name too. Then she noticed a senior name and thought she
should pick out a male and female senior as well. The donors had so much fun
shopping for their “angels.”
I picked out a name for my family to do. His name was Oscar
and he was 7 years old. What made me pick him was his simple Christmas wish…to
own a basketball. We bought him the best basketball we could find along with
other needed clothing items.
I was really touched by the generosity of some donors. I was
especially touched when a couple brought back a new Barbie bike with all the
bells and whistles for their “angel.” It was hard to keep from crying seeing
and feeling so much Christmas spirit. Sometimes, the donors and I would cry together.
At work, sometimes I needed a lift, and then sure enough,
the next song was “All I want for Christmas is you.” I swayed from side to side
and thought of who I most wanted for Christmas…God. It became our theme
song. Sometimes I imagined us singing the song together, like a duet, like
Sonny and Cher (for those old enough to
remember.)
I recall one time I was feeling a little down at work. I
took my break and went upstairs to the break room. Oddly enough, the break room
was empty. I sat in a chair, closed my eyes and began to pray. Immediately, “our
song” began to play: “All I want for Christmas is You.” I knew the timing was
no coincidence as I batted the tears from my eyes.
Last night, my husband and I went to see “The Hobbit” movie
at a movie theater in Farmington,
Utah. When we left the theater
and walked outside into the snowy cold, I heard a familiar sound. I also saw a colorful
fountain in the distance. I brought my husband to the fountain where we heard “All
I Want for Christmas is You” accompanied by a choreographed light and fountain
display.
We were the only people there. I didn’t mind the cold but my
husband noticed an outside warmer. We stood in warmth while it lightly snowed.
At the end of my favorite song, we kissed. Next to the fountain was a small
outdoor ice skating rink and even a mailbox for Santa. It was a magical night. At the end of the song, the music stopped and the lights and fountain went away. I knew that song was just for me.
I felt God’s love as He sang to me “All I want for
Christmas is You.” Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
