Newspaper Page Text
The True Citizen, Wednesday, December 23, 2020 — Page 5A
Michael N. Searles
At Christmas, we celebrate
the birth of the baby Jesus and
the love, light, hope and peace
that he symbolizes. The ques
tion for many is how can we
sing songs and celebrate the
Lord in the time of COVID.
We are challenged each year
to separate the fleeting from
the essential; festivities from
the true meaning of Christmas.
There also is an expression that
Christmas is more than the
time of year but a condition of
the heart. We express the true
joy of Christmas when we give
to those in need, appreciate the
things we have, and provide
service to others.
While many of us can
(Reprinted because you
should still buy an InstaPot
if you haven’t. Air fryers are
pretty cool, too.)
Trying my hand at some
Christmas poetry this week. I
dedicate the following to my
friend, Wanda White. Hope
you all have a merry, blessed
Christmas. And remember this:
God don’t like ugly, but He did
create dust. Enjoy your family;
the bunnies can wait.
’Twas the week before
more easily enter into this
spirit, there are others who
find the Christmas season one
of sorrow. The season evokes
memories of those who died
in years past and those who
recently have departed due to
COVID. We also are reminded
of those who had funerals with
out a gathering of friends and
family to mourn their death. It
probably will take some time
for us to realize that persons
we knew well have died.
Time Magazine expressed
the feelings of many with
its cover: 2020 —The Worst
Year Ever. The Worst Year
Ever by Stephanie Zacharek
referenced an essay entitled
“Our Awful Year: 2020 Tested
Us Beyond Measure. Where
Do We Go From Here?” MS
Zacharek emphasized the dire
circumstances of this year
with the following statement:
“There have been worse years
Christmas, and all through the
house,
I was hiding Amazon pack
ages as though I had a spouse.
The stockings were stuffed
with candy wrappers from last
year, despite the fact the fat
man would soon be here.
They weren’t hung up either,
no not even one, and I’ve found
myself saying, “Oh well. Next
time, I’ll get it done.”
My child’s been nestled in
school books galore, counting
down the days ’til Christmas
break - just a few more!
The laundry’s stacked high
and work’s been so busy.
I’m running in circles and
starting to get dizzy.
Christmas parties here and
baking cookies over there,
in U.S. history, and certainly
worse years in world history,
but most of us alive today have
seen nothing like this one.”
However, while the arrival of
COVID vaccines has lifted
somewhat the shroud of ill
ness and death, we must keep
up our guard. The wearing of
masks, maintaining social dis
tance, and washing our hands
represent the prudent approach
to fighting the Virus. It seems
that the elderly have embraced
these measures while many
younger members of our com
munity have not. This may be
why we do not attach words
like wise to the young. The
acceptance of stark realities
constantly confronts those who
have entered later adulthood.
Days become more precious
and memories more often flood
our minds. We also are faced
with the realization that the
largest number of casualties
THE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS
I think everyone is feeling
this holiday despair.
Dinner time again and I’m
fresh out of ideas.
We’ve got Papa’s Pizza on
speed dial; they’ve always got
deals.
Then from the kitchen it
seems to scream,
“Come on and use me!
I make everything but ice
cream!”
I spring to my feet a little too
fast, and as I run on the tile I
come down with a crash.
After checking for bruises
and still on the floor,
I look up to see an open
pantry door.
From the shelves it looks
down, ready to rock.
I reach in and grab it: my
IN THE SPIRIT OF YULETIDE
is older Americans. As the
number of infections, hospi
talizations, and deaths rise,
we have decisions to make.
As Thanksgiving approached,
the desire to be with family
rose precipitously. Because of
family gatherings and other in
teractions, COVID infections,
hospitalizations, and deaths
dramatically increased.
Hospitals across the country
are at full capacity while some
are at over capacity. This
means people with non-CO-
VID diseases and conditions
in some communities cannot
receive the life-preserving
treatment they need. Experts
are now looking at Christmas
and what may occur as folks
travel back home.
The desire of families to
come together seems to over
ride the concerns of medical
experts who warn of the Third
Wave. Andrew Hayward, a
new InstaPot.
Now chicken and black
beans. Just a little more broth.
A dash of chilli powder and
of course tomato sauce.
In goes the com, some Ro-
tel and the secret: a packet of
Ranch mix is this meal’s shin
ing beacon.
I give it a stir and push a few
buttons.
In twenty more minutes,
there’s a house full of gluttons.
Bellies are full, even the
teen’s, and I’m so very happy
there’s only one dish to clean.
Less time in the kitchen
means more time for me.
I think I’ll finish this night
with some Hallmark TV.
professor of infectious disease
epidemiology at University
College London, said mixing
at Christmas poses "substantial
risks" particularly where gen
erations "with high incidence
of infection" socialize with
older people "who currently
have much lower levels of
infection and are at most risk
of dying" if they catch Co-
vid-19. Our approach to this
new world viral experience
reflects our belief in science
and our faith in God. The Rev.
Donna Frischknecht Jackson
editor of Presbyterians Today
relays this message: “God is
always trying to get our atten-
bit of a fog.
It's harder than it looks so
don't try it at home,
I assure that I'll certainly not
from now on.
Never again will I attempt to
write rhymes,
As you've already seen it's a
waste of my time.
So here is my vow with
words very solemn,
From here to eternity I'll just
write my weekly column.
tion, always willing to show us
a New Jerusalem. This Advent
especially, God is showing us
a new vision of “doing the
holidays” that has been forced
upon us by COVID-19.
It’s a vision we might not
welcome as it means letting
go of beloved traditions and
not holding large family gath
erings. But God is always
recreating our lives and always
presenting us with a vision of
what can be. And that vision,
if we see with eyes of faith, is
indeed beautiful.” May you
have a safe and spirit-filled
Christmas and Holiday Season.
I'll stick to my tales some tall
and some true,
Some tales about me and
some tales about you.
Cause those are the stories I
know how to write,
Till then,Merry Christmas to
Yall, and to Yall a good night.
I'm not a poet,
And I know it.
Never again,
Amen.
AUGUSTA SCULPTURE TRAIL
Augusta's Newest Attraction Coming in January 2021
* 10 Public Sculptures * Walking Tour Apps
* 10 National Artists • Monthly Events for 2 Years!
* Feb. 6 Celebration & Unveiling * Interactive Trail Games
JANUARY 2021 - JANUARY 2023
www.AugustaArts.com IT@
Orte ih<
AUGUSTA
l
f Like Us On
Facebook
Diana Royal
Lively
Continued from 4A
BURKE COUNTY BUSINESS DIRECTORY
These local professionals are here to serve you!
Air Conditioning I Electrical & Generator
TRUST.
IT'S MORE THAN A WORD TO US.
ITS OUR WORD TO YOU.
#ncm
70* 5 54-73d 1 / 70*-530-4516
COMPLETE
SYSTEM
DIAGNOSTICS
*49
TRANE
RE WELL
ELECTRIC CO.
706-554-2861
[«w>ilvlt(lric,cvm
QENERAC
AUTHORISED DEALER
&02 West 6ti Street
Waynesboro, GA 30630
PHONE (TOG) 554-2861
Air Conditioning
COUNTy
Flntidhln
nurnnln
™ Commercial - Residential ”
Sales & Service
1040 Both&sda Church Hoad
Girard, GA
Mobile; 706-339-9343
Ckuin Air
frim-tHt rrirftiJ
Filldm
Pint Rain Wnrmrtvn
m
Contractor
HIGHSIUIITH BUILDING SERVICES, INC.
constructing custom /tomes stace t&flt
JOHN A. HIGHSMITH
JdIioH ig hs-mr.h grotw;inaii.win
p
et Grooming
u ^ 2
z>pringviood
Boarding & Grooming
706-592-0444
32t>y Old Wayriesburu Kuatf
Huph/Lhnh. GA :Wf!15
'‘Cdring ItandJ foryMpreciowpef
Insurance
Stacey L. Herrmann, LUTCF • Agency Mgr.
FARM
BUREAU
GEORGIA
P.O. Box 329
Georgia Farm Bireau Insurance Services
Soulham fami Bi.fmij Life ms nranr.a Company
Office 706-554-2017 FAX: 706-554-7482
Email; sHierrmann^gfbinsxom
CLAIMS # 1-S55-432-2567
Waynesboro, GA 30830
Wrecker Service
706-551-3998
706-551-0876
TAYLOR BROTHERS
Wrecker Service
206 West 12th Street
Automotive Repair & Wrecker Service
Family Owned and Operated since 1963
349GA. Hwy. 24 Hal-704 554-2814
24'Haur Towing after hours
706 554-55M
We sell Truck S Trailer Accessories - We sell Trailer Tires
ADVERTISE HERE!
To be included in the Burke
County Business Directory,
contact Roy Chalker
at 706-554-2111.