My Third Favorite Christmas Story, Revised ------------- 12/24/19

WWII photo of the Ardennes Forest

        May life treat you well. For many, this sea-son can be frantic and materialistic. 

        Needn't be so.  In the inn, we count down to the biggest day of this month.  Today, and to-morrow, I present stories written related to this season. 

         The goal remains counter-balancing the pressures of Madison Avenue.  The stress of splurging assaults us. We become distracted from the meaning of Christmas. Family happiness depends upon many gifts for everyone, we are told. 

          Candy canes, Santas, and elves do not state the story of this season. We do not reveal how much we care for loved ones by how much we shell out for gifts.  Heavens no. 

         

          Christmas is not about warm feelings, Christmas trees or music, eggnog, hearth, and home.  Nope.  It's about the most incredible gift mankind received. God's love for us. 

          The gift of his Son, given to this world, is celebrated on this day. Tomorrow's two stories dip further into the meaning of this season. 

      Below is my third favorite Christmas-related story.  My telling of it is based on research and the account given by Fritz Vincken, the young twelve-year-old son mentioned in the version below.  For more about him, read here. 

        Wishing you a terrific Christmas, 

              The Innkeeper

**********

       In December 1944, the Battle of the Bulge was fought in sub-freezing weather.  The American and British troops were defeating a German force twice their number.  This engagement lasted from December 16th until January 25th, 1945.  A cook for the Nazi Army left his wife and young son in a shack in the Ardennes Forest near the German-Belgium border, seemingly distant from danger.

    The poor weather---snow, bitter cold, and impenetrable fog--grounded Allied aircraft and aided the German advance.  That Christmas Eve, soldiers on both sides were lost.  Many sought a place. 

to bed down until morning before resuming their search for their unit. 

    The following story happened seventy-four years ago......

       The snow crunched as three American soldiers trudged through the forest.  Weighed down with their sixty-pound packs and nine-pound M1903 Springfield rifles, the combat-tested Americans stumbled upon an occupied shack after tromping around for three hours, and light glowed from it.  

       Smoke poured from the chimney, and it offered the chance of a warm refuge for their frost-bit, combat-weary bodies.  Breaking the silence of the night, upon the door of the tiny house, they knocked. 

       Frau Vincken was preparing a meal using a scrawny chicken. Using sign language, the soldiers asked to enter. A mother---Elizabeth---with her twelve-year-old son by her side, responded.

       She waved the men in, offering a simple Christmas meal.

       One soldier was shot in the thigh during a firefight that morning. The stabbing pain had him rocking from side to side as he lay on the couch. The woman, using rags, stopped the bleeding.  

       The language barrier was broken when the men learned the lady spoke French, which a G.I. from Louisiana knew. 

       The Americans grunted in relief as they unloaded their packs.  This evening provided a rare chance to stretch out.  Spending the night in something more significant and warmer than a foxhole was welcomed, especially in this weather. 

      The heat from the hearth, an ap-preciated unexpected early Christmas gift.  Little did these men know that soon, emanating from the room would be the warmth of another kind.

      More than an hour passed when a crisp rap upon the weather-worn door startled the little family and the Ameri-can visitors.  The men grabbed their weapons while Elizabeth answered the door.  Four German soldiers were lost. 

      "Was shelter available?" they asked.  "Yes, come in for Christmas dinner, but I have other guests," she answered.  One German soldier remarked, "Americana?"  Elizabeth replied, "Yes."

       "This is Christmas Eve.  No killing tonight, in my home."  She ordered the Germans to leave their weapons outside before entering. 

        The American G.I.s did the same. The combatants stood, men who, earlier that day, sought to kill one another.  The little boy's heart banged loudly, and Fritz pulled on his winter jacket to muffle the sound. 

       The lad didn't want anyone to hear the dynamic percussion. 

       For what seemed an eternity---eight minutes---the room strained under an uncomfortable silence. Eventually, American cigarettes were offered to the Europeans. The men warily eyed each other. 

       The Germans welcomed them, provisions being scarce.  A German soldier with medical training inspected the wounded American.  Finding usable items within the bungalow, he tended to the injured G.I. 

        Preparations for the Christmas dinner were completed.  The food was meager-----what was meant for the Frau Vincken, and Fritz served seven last-minute guests.  A bag of potatoes stretched the food, becoming the base for a hearty soup.  

        Before eating, the woman rose to speak. 

        Elizabeth recounted the Christmas Story, speaking of the hope it offered. She declared war was wrong. The host spoke in German to the European visitors and French to the Americans.

        The soldiers, including the tough German sergeant, were moved.  The eyes of a few of these battle-hardened men swam with held-back tears.  When they were little, the men recalled stories told during Christmas in their childhood homes.  

        While gnawing upon the stringy chicken, uneasiness transformed into the warmth of companions sharing a simple, appreciated meal.  After dinner, the Nazi soldiers sang Silent Night, a song of Austrian origin; by tradition, it could not be sung before Christmas Eve.  

        Afterward, two German men sang it in English, along with the guests from the United States.

        Fed and satisfied with their first home-cooked meal in months, the men slept in the cramped quarters of the tiny alpine cottage.  In the morning, the Germans crafted a stretcher for the wounded American.  A compass and directions were given to them, too. 

        The Nazi soldiers took the lady and her son back to the German lines, reuniting her with her husband.

        For one night, during a violence-strewn battle, God's peace dwelt within nine who spent the night in a little cabin.  Even in the worst possible conditions, the love of God resided among them. 

*******

       In Bethlehem, more than two thousand years ago, a young pregnant woman and her husband were not admitted to a crowded inn.  No room for the Christ child.  Today, this slight can be corrected.  He can be welcomed into the inn of our hearts.  You can invite Him if you haven't.  You'll discover the greatest Christmas gift ever----eternal life.

        Peace born in Bethlehem was showered upon nine people in the middle of the Battle of the Bulge in war-torn Europe.  Experiencing God's harmony and love is available today to hearts torn with despair, fear, or pain.

         The world desperately needs to know hope, freedom from fear, gratitude, and tranquility. I ask God to show me how I can demonstrate character like the mother in this story.  Being an instrument of His peace, my desire.

How About You? 

How are you celebrating this Christmas season? 

  May you have a great and grateful Christmas!

               

Creating A Better Today................ 9/24/17

       Beyond pretense. That was our subject.

      A friend of sever-al decades-----a Bal-cony Person of mine, and I lunched. The freedom enjoyed when facing our vul-nerabilities was covered.

Rumination and Depression ...... 8/9/14

         Overthinking is easy.  The problem is, doing so often leads to depression.

       “Your mind goes round and round over negative events in the past, problems in the present or bad things you’re worried will happen in the future,” says Nolen-Hoeksema, who pioneered the study of women’s rumination and depression and is considered the go-to expert in the field.

        And this inability to release bad thoughts and memories can get you down.

        “You rehash events and analyze them, but don’t do anything to

The Biggest Day Arrives Tomorrow. Also, Emotional Vampires & The Healing Power of Forgiveness ...11/21/12

      Thank you for dropping by this inn of encouragement and praise.  What thanks have you?   Of all the days of the year, tomorrow will be

Happiness is a Choice; Gratitude is a Choice. Better staying in the solution than dwelling on problems........... .................. 5/25/11

     Attitude deter-mines how much happiness we will know.

 "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he."  

      Abraham Lincoln echoed this when he said, 

"Happiness requires very little, it's all in our way of thinking."  [And, I would add, in the choices we make.]

        Being grateful reveals itself as a terrific choice.  It fills us with hope. It happens as we look backwards with thankfulness and forward with eager anticipation.  

        We can be thankful because we are not alone.  God's love can be ours at all times.  He accepts us with grace, not judgment.  

        We cannot only bond with God but also create a supportive community that loves us unconditionally. This type of support flourishes when developing our discernment and apply boundaries when relating with others. 

         I'm not pollyannaish. (read here for more.)  There's warfare in the world, and many go hungry, daily; abuse abides throughout this world, yes.  Many nowadays are without work.

        Despite these realities, a loving God still exists.  He answers our prayers.  A Power greater than ourselves can provide the sanity and serenity we seek. 

        A positive vision for our lives can be ours, the choice involves changing perspective. 

        It happens when we slow down through prayer and meditation and increase our conscious contact with the God of our understanding.  We want to pray for knowledge of His will and the power to carry it out.  This action mirrors Step 11 in Recovery.

        When we are loved by family and friends we know a reality that enhances our joy.  Life doesn't get richer than that.

  "Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness.  It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose."        Helen Keller 

        How about you?  Where do you choose to invest your thoughts?  I'm amazed at what we choose to focus on. Yes, problems can engulf us.  Complaining doesn't solve them.

       I find sweeping our porch a better option; in doing so, the world becomes tidier.  Spewing bile may offer temporary release.  Doing what we can about the issue, provides a constructive alternative; "Let it begin with me."
   
        It surprises me how much we stay in our minds, without subsequent action.  

        Before recovery, I worshipped my mind.  It was the result of a classical and thorough education.  I  used analysis to make sense of the nonsensical.

       It was my attempt at trying to control the uncontrollable.

       That's futility and insanity.  I know it's chic to be critical, sophisticated to be sassy.  I'd rather fill my heart with love and praise for the gifts life offers. 

        Don't you agree?  My guess imagines you saying yes, or you wouldn't be reading these silent words in this home of gratitude and thankfulness.

         Focusing on the problem creates a downer mentality.  The problem remains that we are focusing on the problem.  With that viewpoint, of course, we'll get upset.   I'd rather look at the alternatives as to what I can do, staying in the solution.

           Many don't realize that being critical does not reveal an astute analytical mind.  Anyone can complain; it's easy to be consumed by a dark spirit, defaulting to this mode.
     
         Many are not aware that being judgmental has nothing to do with their assessment skills. Their viewpoints stem from a heart filled with blame, shame, guilt, and judgment, the five forms of Life Alienating Communication.  Frequently, critics are simply continuing the negative legacy of growing up within the toxicity of a negative, depressive, critical home where grace was rarely demonstrated.

          Since childhood, many living in a less-than-ideal home were groomed to be critical.  It was modeled for them daily.  Seeing what was wrong became part of their cognitive and characterological DNA.  Having lived with toxic---and usually perfectionistic---family members, the bleak circumstances of their childhood strongly contribute to adopting a critical perspective.

"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."   Philippians. 4:8.

This is my choice, dwelling upon the blessings and treasures I have.  In keeping with that theme, here are...

My Gratitudes for Today:
1. My baseball team played today and I watched the game.  It was a respite from daily pressures, taking in a game.  It slowed the pace of my evening.  Baseball remains a game of nuances; it has the speed of yesteryear when life wasn't as frantic.
2. I spoke with one of my older brothers this afternoon.  It's lovely connecting with family and catching up on the latest news.
3. Another brother, who lives in Hawaii, by phone, I almost reached. We share a comfortable relationship; we think alike. Besides that, he has a wonderful personality.  I treasure the life-long bond we share.
4. I had an open conversation with a son.  The openness, thoughtfulness, and honesty we had met my need for connecting on an intimate level.  It's great relating with an adult son.  Hearing his mature but different perspective was gladdening. Mine remains limited.  I appreciate the times we celebrate together.
5. I appreciate patience.  It allows me to slow down, when life engulfs me, with the urgent tries to distract me from the important.  Turning things over to God, and letting Him carry the burdens of my life makes it more bearable, less frightening, and increases my equanimity, always a good deal.

Related Posts:
Getting Beyond Disappointment 
"Happiness is a Choice"  Part II

Staying in the Solution: Much Better Than Assigning Blame 5/13/11

    It's great being in the saddle again. Yesterday, from one p.m. on, I was unable to post in this inn; the Blogger system was down, even after midnight, Left Coast time.

.   How are each of you doing?  Today was a crazy day. I'm pooped. Over five miles I hiked today. I got several errands done.

My gratitudes for Friday:

1. I'm tending to Alexander, a cat that's dying. He's 15 and a half years old. I love the guy. The feeling is mutual. Soon, he'll be gone. It tugs at my heart when this formerly aloof cat climbs out of his death bed, to see me, whenever I drop by. When I'm not around, he doesn't do that; he just lays on top of his cat pillow that's warmed with a vet-approved electric blanket made for house pets.Except for this story.  I enjoy the love and fellowship we share.
2. I got additional funding recently. I'm thankful for the additional resources. More importantly, I'm grateful for habits and principles that allow me to maximize and do a better job as a steward of God's provision. 
3.  I'm happy I'll see a friend tomorrow. It's been a long time since we visited---since February. This friend I've known since 1997. I'm thankful for the stability I enjoy with long-established friends. Tomorrow, we'll take in lunch and views of the San Francisco Bay.
4. Last night I slept for eight hours. That's exceptional for me. It feels terrific to get rest. I needed it----today was a doozy. I was in three different towns and got plenty of exercise. 
5.  This morning, I wrote in a newspaper for a city that's about sixty miles from my home. I took a stand against negativity and criticism against a writer that I like. I stated that it's better to say what we want, than to complain about what we don't have. Here's an excerpt:

"It amazes me how quickly we judge a person if that

individual doesn’t do what we want. We assign blame to 

them; frequently, we consider them as bad, or some other

negative interpretation of their character. In this case, 

many who’ve written above vented their frustrations due 

to [the writer in question not covering a subject they want

covered, in the newspaper].

It’s usually better staying in the solution. Complaining 

about what troubles us only makes the things that bother

us loom larger and more disturbing.

I grew up in San Jose, near Campbell; I’ve been a life-

long Bay Area resident. I think it’s better if we appreciate

the uniqueness offered by each part of the San Francisco

Bay Area, rather than denigrating one region, because we

live in another. I find contentment doesn’t require much. 

I find the following quote gives me perspective that contrib-

utes to more joy in my life.

'All happy people are grateful. Ungrateful people cannot
be happy. We tend to think that being unhappy leads
people to complain, but it is truer to say that complaining
leads people to becoming unhappy.'

I don’t ask anyone to agree with me. Take what you like and leave the rest."

by Pablo Fuentes

*********************************************

       After I submitted this response in the Press Democrat, which covers the Santa Rosa area of the the North Bay, the complaints stopped.   There were over 20 complaints before I added my two cents.

       I'm thankful for taking a stand in a world that considers it sophisticated to whine, complain, be sarcastic, or cynical. As David Foster Wallace said:

Irony and negativity can critique but it can’t nourish or redeem.

6. I'm grateful for having a different opinion and the strength to express it. I used non-violent communication (NVC, for more about this, please click here.): I expressed my observations, feelings about them, my needs and my requests regarding them without using the five forms of life-alienating communication: blame, shame, fear, guilt or judgment. 

     Please let me know what you thoughts, even if you read this months from now. Your responses add life to this place and your insights I value: I can always grow by seeing your point of view. Mine is limited.

Boundaries: Defining Who I Am

This place is near my home.

      How are you? Have you had a good week? I hope so. The past few days I've been getting a visitor from Malaysia. Thanks for dropping by! Thank you, for the private letters some of  you readers send my way.  I enjoy hearing from you, and your honesty.

      Studying, I'll do this morning, before work. I'll do so while listening to the rhythmic, hypnotic sound of rain striking the patio. I thought I'd check in with you, first. I enjoy learning your gratitudes. Let me know if there's a topic you'd like us to cover in this inn of thanksgiving, positivity and praise.
My Gratitudes for Today:
1. I'm happy when I meet adults who desire to develop their abilities in dealing with conflict and difficult, agitated people. I spent time last night with someone who was terribly violated by her landlady.  We discussed some things she can do, to maintain her sanity, keep her dignity and have her needs met.  I love the work I do.

2. Yesterday, I met with another person who faced a crushing disappointment. It was fulfilling going over alternatives that allow her to overcome her depression.  It was encouraging seeing her spirit brighten, as we focused on ways she can stay in the solution.

3. I'm grateful for the action that helps me deal with issues I am confronting.

4. I delighted in the homemade split-pea soup I concocted yesterday.  I have some left---yum!  Cooking yesterday, chopping celery, red potatoes, green onions and the other stuff that went with it was an opportunity to experience a Zen moment, it's similar to when I play pool, knocking in twelve or fifteen balls in, in a row.

5. I enjoyed a meeting I had with an employer. We discussed goals and expectations in a pleasant way. The person struggles with his temper.  Before we started our meeting,  I mentioned we had to relate as equals, using courtesy, respect.  Yep, I said that.  He agreed with my request.  A productive meeting ensued.

6. I'm happy I've learned to exercise boundaries.

       I don't have them for others to adhere to. They're for me to adhere to.  They define for others who I am; they allow others to know what I will and will not accept.

      I enjoy healthier relationships when I don't give away big chunks of who I am simply because I want the relationship.  If I have to be more than what I am in order to be accepted by another, I bless that person.  And, I send them on their way.  Yep, I do, and as a result, I'm happier, enjoying more sanity and serenity.

      Those relationships requiring me to prove myself are not God's gift for me.  The friends God gives me, love me as I am and have my back.  I'm blessed. I have such friends. Fortunately, my sons are in that group.

7. I'm excited. Today, I'm working out on my gym before working.

     May I ask you to share your gratitudes? Remember, this is your gratitude journal, too.  Sharing yours meets my need for reciprocity, equality, communicating and fellowship. I like it when you do.

Please have a great and grateful day,