View From the Legislature

Recently I was asked what my favorite Christmas gift I received as a child was. That question alone brought back a flood of memories, not so much because of the number of gifts that come to mind but because of the different stages of life that it reminds you of.

Usually each year there was one particular gift that was special and perhaps symbolic of that time. I recall being an avid watcher of wrestling during a couple of years of my youth back when the selection of television channels was limited to about 3. Watching Saturday morning wrestling, and all the strange characters that were part of it, sparked a desire for a toy wrestling ring, which Santa was gracious enough to provide Christmas morning.

When I was a bit older, I remember getting a Sony Walkman, which at the time seemed like it must be the peak of technological advancement. To be able to carry around music on those wonderful cassette tapes seemed like something that couldn’t be outdone.

But, for whatever reason, the gift that I remember most was a Hasbro Romper Room Weebles (they wooble but they don’t fall down) Ghost House. I’m not sure what it was about that ghost house but it left some kind of indelible impression on me. It wasn’t particularly fancy nor did it have any electronic features which seems like a must today, but it remains etched in my memory.

But regardless of the gift, even if they bring back fond memories, their importance and their allure fades. Technology either makes them obsolete or their interest is lost as we age and so they left as fond memories. And that perhaps is why we are often encouraged not to focus on gifts at Christmas. Both because not everyone is fortunate to be able to receive purchased gifts but also because their impact is fairly time limited.

But the meaning of Christmas, the true meaning of Christmas, is very much connected to a gift, the greatest gift. On that very first Christmas the birth of Christ was the gift of hope that came to our world. And that gift which was delivered in a manger in Bethlehem isn’t one that grows stale dated, or that becomes technologically obsolete or that we outgrow. It is a gift that is as meaningful today as when it was first given.

As you celebrate Christmas this year, I hope that you are surrounded by love and family. I know that while that is our ideal Christmas, there are also many who will have experienced loss this past year and that loss can make this a difficult time of the year. For each of you, regardless of what this year has brought, may the hope that came on the first Christmas touch you in a very real way. Merry Christmas to you and to your family.