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Dear Friends in Christ -

Today's school closure and pending snow storm has probably already uplifted your heart or put you in a scheduling tail-spin. Or both. I'm often tempted to think that the pressures we face in our daily living and holiday preparations are a "modern" problem. But they're not. We face the same struggles and temptations as our parents and grandparents and great-grandparents. The struggles and temptations are much the same because the human condition is much the same: we all struggle to believe in God, to put Him first, and to live in harmony with each other.

The humbling reality of all this was brought home to me when I read the "Shelton Life" magazine last night. In it were reprinted articles and poems and pictures from the December 14, 1912 edition of "The Shelton Times." The following poem caught my attention - and caused me to smile wryly to myself. I hope it brings a smile to you, too.
Faithfully,
Janet+

THE CHRISTMAS SHOPPER by Wilbur D. Nesbit

The Christmas shopper makes her list
And holds it tightly in her fist
And starts to get her shopping done
She thinks she is the only one
Beginning at this early date
And that her progress will be straight.

She sallies forth with pleasant smiles
But soon is
Jammed up in the aisles,
And when she tries to cleave the fray
She has to wind around this way;

Though earnestly she's on the job,
She bumps into a rushing mob.
By speeding shoppers she is borne
Until her skirt and waist are torn;
She leaves a doll and jumping jack
And has to crowd and struggle back;
She gets home weary, worn and blue -
And finds the cook gone shopping, too!