Christmas Eve

Week of December 19

Its Christmas Eve and I'm feeling Bar Humbug! I'm in Panama, courtesy of the U.S. Army and its my first Christmas in the tropics. And I'm feeling alone.

I'm tired of carboard snowmem,fake snow, plastic evergreens and lights on palm trees. Bar humbug!


Some enterprising soldiers parked a tank and eight jeeps at the edge of the parade field, connected them with ammunition belts and have a stuffed santa waving from the tank. Bar Humbug!

My depression is getting worse by the hour. I grew up with Currier and Ives Christmases with real snowmen, the smell of freshly cut Christmas trees, and a cold wintry wind greeting you everywhere. Here it is 80 degrees, no wind, and a musty smell everywhere. Bar Humbug.

Evening comes and I make my way to the base chapel dressed in slacks and a sports shirt. Inside the chapel is lit by candle light and familiar carols are sung and the traditional scripture passages of the birth of the Christ child are read.

I don't remember what the sermon was about but the message I heard was lound and clear. The first Christmas was held in a desert...no pine trees, no snowmen, no Santa but a lasting gift of love for all.

Mal Salter
Sarasota
(The above was experienced 55 years ago this Friday)