Grandfathers, what relatives in your lives were great Christmas memories? I have mine. I grew up in a religious home. My Mom grew up in a Southern Baptist church. My Dad was raised Catholic. They decided to join a Methodist Church. Here is a letter to my step-granddaughter Lydia, who is 13:

Dear Lydia,

I was religious while growing up. I attended church every Sunday. I thought it was important to act religious. I enjoyed Christmas Eve Services a lot. I was the oldest of four, and eventually five children. We attended the 7 pm Candlelight Service. The Church was decorated specially. Candles were placed in all the windows. Holly wreaths were everywhere in the Sanctuary. Dad sang in the Choir. I sang in the youth Choir. I had this special feeling of piety, Piety is the quality of feeling religious. I felt that way a lot while growing up.

My family returned home with excitement after church. We toured the neighborhood to see Christmas lights on the way home. We were allowed to open up one Christmas present. That was fun! We’d creep downstairs to the living room at 2:30 on Christmas morning to see what Santa left us. My Dad would sleep in a chair, catch us, and chase us back upstairs. That was scary and fun at the same time.

I got a microphone as a gift one Christmas. Trying to understand what I had, I found a cord and got Dad to plug the microphone with the cord into the wall. It burned up so fast. I thought we would burn down our house!

Both of your great grandparents on my side of the family were only children. I would play with my neighbors during Christmas Eve and hear, “My aunt and uncle are coming now. You have to leave.” That made me depressed every year. I had no aunts, uncles, or first cousins. I felt lonely. I did have my grandmother, my mother’s mother. She lived within ten miles. She joined us yearly. I was close to her.

My brothers and sisters were excited about Baby Jesus. We were excited about Santa Claus, too. I was excited about Santa until I discovered that he couldn’t be in two places at one time. I was nine. I felt my parents lied to me. I got over it eventually.

I dropped out of church during my college years. Church lost meaning for me. That’s because I was taught if my good works outweighed my bad works, I would go to heaven. I didn’t trust what I was taught. Church lost meaning for me.

I became a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ at 21 years old in August 1976. I attended a Presbyterian church for the first time in that morning. I found out salvation, the ability to go to heaven, was a free gift. I accepted Jesus christ as my savior in my seat. I knew instantly that I had eternal life.

Christmas Day and every day became different from then on. Jesus came to live in my heart. I knew I had eternal life. Christmas became fulfilling.

I know Jesus lives in my heart. You can have that same presence, too. Jesus will change your life and give you peace with God. That peace is what I lacked while growing up. I have something in my heart that no one can take away.

You can have Jesus live in your heart, too. You can have eternal life. Just ask: “God, I know I am a sinner, and I know Jesus came to die for my sins and make me right with God. I believe Jesus is the Son of God. Accept me now, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Eternal life is yours if you prayed this prayer sincerely. You can call me and talk if you have any questions. Enjoy your Christmas.

 Love you,

Grandad

Richard Szalecki, pronounced, “Sah-LEH-key” is a Christian Leader and writer who recently retired. He lives with his wife Cheryl in Northwest Florida. He’s currently visiting his granddaughter and step-granddaughter in Plant City, near Tampa, Florida.

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