O Tidings of Comfort and Joy

His name was Raymond A. Mitchell but I called him Pop-pop. He was my grandfather. Christmas was memorable at my grandparent’s home not only because of the gifts we received but also because of the love that abounded. With joy, each child received a handmade item from my grandmother like a Raggedy Ann or Andy doll and a stocking filled with simple treats like apples, oranges, candy and nuts.

A quiet and gentle man, Pop-pop exuded a calmness and an inner strength that I admired. At church, he graciously greeted guests with a smile and a nod, dutifully checked attendance and was a favorite with all the children (they all knew he kept a stash of zebra-striped gum in his coat pockets).

In 1979, when I was fifteen, Pop-pop was diagnosed with colon cancer. Although weakened in body my grandfather remained a strong presence in my life. One morning as my siblings and I headed off to school, the phone rang; my Pop-pop had died. It was December 21.

Calling hours were that evening at our home. As family gathered to comfort one another and friends came to pay their condolences, sadness lingered among the Christmas lights and the holiday trimmings. Another knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. This time it was our minister, Father Jeff Rawthorn. He shook the snow off his coat and then walked directly over to my grandmother. Gently taking her hand in his and tenderly speaking to her in his English cadence he said, “Imagine, spending Christmas with Jesus.”

Of all the words spoken that night, those few captured my attention like no others. They spoke life into my heart and hope into my spirit. It was true, we were not able to be with Pop-pop that Christmas but Pop-pop was with the one whose birth we were to celebrate in just a few days.

Christmas, although a little more somber that year was not without joy. We shared memories as well as gifts. However, what I remember most about that Christmas was the all-surprising peace that was present because of a simple reminder from a wise Episcopal priest, “Imagine, spending Christmas with Jesus.”

**Special thanks to my cousin Jon who took this great photo of our grandfather.