Posted on 12.20.2020

Blue Christmas – Soapbox, Jr.

I haven’t watched a single Christmas special this year, visions of sugarplums aren’t dancing in my head, and I feel more like saying “Bah humbug” than wishing Christmas cheer.

The stress has been more than any Christmas I can ever remember, and this year I think I understand what The Grinch, Burgermeister Meisterburger, the Winter Warlock, the Abominable Snow Monster of the North, the cranky brother with the flaming hair from ‘The Year Without a Santa Claus’ and Bill Murray felt.

Not really…

It’s just the overall feeling from the fatigue of a really bad year, bad in almost every way, pandemic, losing dad, trying to keep a business based on his talents going without him, pandemic, a chaotic and frustrating election season, a hectic Black Friday/Cyber Monday Christmas push for our website sales, and did I mention the pandemic?

Unfortunately, “the most wonderful time of the year” hasn’t quite been the same in 2020. The push for our Christmas website sales usually puts me closer to Christmas Eve before I can relax and start trying to take in the joy of the season, but it’s going to be even more difficult this year.

It’s been difficult to find joy this year, to be honest, the whole season has been draining, as if 2020 hasn’t been draining enough.

It’s going to be even worse, because our jolly man with the white beard won’t be at our house this year, and we can’t even have the normalcy of our large Christmas Eve and Christmas Day traditional gatherings to at least have that to hold on to. Instead of a houseful it’s going to be a fraction of the size it normally is.

It’s the biggest “sadiversary” of the year.

Dad loved Christmas, he had such a big heart, and he loved every aspect of the holiday.

There was no CDB Christmas party this year, no Santa calling up the children and grandchildren of the CDB family. You could see the pure joy in dad’s eyes as he played Santa’s little helper next to the big guy.

Normally on Christmas Eve after attending church, we would have friends and some of our closest CDB family to gather around and listen to dad read the Christmas story from the Book of Luke, and his original story, “A Carolina Christmas Carol,” which has been a tradition in our house since the story was written in the mid-80s.

Then after the reading, dad would go around the room and ask everyone to say a few words, what they were thankful for, anything on their minds, or just simply, “Merry Christmas” for the shyer guests in attendance.

But, I don’t know if mom will be up for it since it’s just going to be a few of us, and it will probably make her cry more than she already has been. 

So, large men in red suits breaking into homes, tinsel, gifts, mistletoe, lights, the whole thing just seems empty this year.

Bah, humbug.

But that’s not what Christmas is about.

Christmas is about the miracle of a baby born in a stable over 2,000 years ago who would be the Savior of the world, who would grow to be the most influential person who ever lived and who would be a living sacrifice for our sins, and the shedding of His blood brings salvation for everyone who wants it. 

It’s a gift.

The best Christmas gift ever.

It’s a gift we can’t earn, it’s a gift we don’t deserve.

It’s grace.

If we have to earn it, it’s not grace.

And it’s right there for the taking. We just need to humble ourselves, admit we are sinners and that we need a Savior, acknowledge that Savior is Jesus Christ, that He is the Son of God, and that God raised Him from the dead.

It’s that simple.

That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

It might be time to watch Linus say those words again for at least the 50th time, or so, maybe my heart will grow three sizes, it sure could use it this year.

God Bless us, everyone.

Read Part II of CD, Jr.'s Blue Christmas HERE

Merry Christmas!

What do you think?

Pray for our troops, our police, the peace of Jerusalem and our nation.

God Bless America!

#BenghaziAintGoingAway

—  Charlie Daniels, Jr.

 

PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU POST

Feel free to comment on soapboxes, but please refrain from profanity and anonymous posts are not allowed, we need a name and you MUST provide a valid email address. If you provide an email address, but leave the name as "Anonymous" we will pick a name for you based on your email address. No one other than website administrators will see your email address, not other posters. If you post without a valid email address, your comment (whether positive or negative) will be deleted. — TeamCDB/BW

 

 

Check out "Geechi Geechi Ya Ya Blues" from Beau Weevils - 'Songs in the Key of E'

 

 

Comments

Christmas 2020
I can understand your feelings completely, Charlie Jr. On Christmas Eve, Dad would be at WOC for church service and as he was a staff member and greeter, he would stand outside greeting people and singing religious Christmas songs as he greeted those that came to rejoice in the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. You probably saw him a few times. Dad's been gone 5 years now and it doesn't get any easier. The state of current affairs and the pandemic gripping the world doesn't make it any easier either. Hopefully, our meager Christmas plans with less social gathering will go off without a hitch and that we'll all still be healthy and covid free afterwards. May God Bless you and your mother as well as your extended CDB family and the joy of Christmas and the birth of a baby born in a stable so many years ago keeps us focused on the blessings we've received so we may give thanks for the love that that baby brought into this world. Merry Christmas, my friend! Mark in Shelbyville
Posted by Mark
Blue Christmas - but for Christ
Amen Charlie Jr. ! One of the safest, but greatest blog posts I’ve read. Spot on! Thank you!
Posted by Bob
Time To Double Down
Amen, Amen & Amen Charlie Jr you are spot on, Jesus is the reason for the season, no doubt that 2020 has been a year that will never be forgotten, and I believe that 2021 may be just as crazy. Maybe the roaring twenties are fixin to repeat, only timer will tell. However Joshua 24:15 "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." We are doubling down on celebrating Christmas this year, the Chinermanns virus be damned, taking more time to spend with family and friends, (spending less money just in case slow Joe manages to steal the election and sell us all to Communist China) But we as a family are celebrating without fear....Isaiah 41:10 " Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." In closing, last I checked the USA was about freedom, everyone is free to choose weather they will follow or lead, and I pray that the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob gives peace, comfort, health and blessings to all seek Him.....nuff said MERRY CHRISTMAS and God Bless Plowboy
Posted by Plowboy
Sadness
Bless your family this Christmas. Thanks for reminding us what it's all about. As I read your comments, I can hear Mr. Charlie's voice in my head. Cherish your memories. Thanks for not letting us forget. God bless you.
Posted by Sheila
Blue Christmas
Love reading your soapboxes. I understand your sadness. Hug your mom cry on each other's shoulders then go help the needy. I will be praying for your peace and comfort
Posted by Diana
Totally understand!!!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your precious Mother, as well as the whole Charlie Daniels Family. May you all find peace that passes ALL UNDERSTANDING, joy, comfort, solace and purpose during this extraordinary season of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ!!!
Posted by Catherine
Christmas 2020
Please know that your Dad is right there with you every single day and especially at Christmas. Heaven is only a thin veil away. Continue on as CD would. He’s right there. 🥰
Posted by Dee Dee