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Dalton
Roberts |
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A lady just came
by to pick up a copy of my song, “A Little Christmas Every Day,” and
it reminded me of two of my most blessed Christmases. I have written of
it before but that which keeps bubbling up in us needs to be shared in a
new way. Sparkling facets of truth and beauty can never be exhausted. When I was County
Executive, the Orange Grove Chorus came each year to sing at Christmas
time. No matter how little of the Christmas spirit I had by the time
they finished their program tears glistened in my eyes like ornaments on
a Christmas tree. Our hearts were full of wonder as we basked in the
radiance of some of God’s most beautiful children. One year Hal
Baker of Orange Grove Center said he thought he could get funding to
make a Christmas video if I would write a Christmas song for the Chorus
and record it with them. I was excited and promised to do it. He called
in June and said he had gotten assurance of the funding and needed the
song before school was out for the summer so the kids would have time to
learn it. How do you get in
the Christmas spirit in June? How can you write a Christmas song in
stifling heat? The way I did it was to immerse myself in Christmas
music. One day as I was driving to Nashville and listening to those
timeless songs a title popped into my mind and by the time I got to
Nashville the song was finished. We recorded it at
Mikron Studio in South Pittsburg and a friend of the school who was
adept at video production turned it into a fine video. For two
Christmases I got to go with the Chorus to their shows before all kinds
of community groups and sing the song. I have never had two sweeter
Christmases. Before each appearance they would greet me with big hugs.
That alone made it special but the love and joy beaming from them as
they sang would power the lights on the biggest Christmas tree in the
world. When I visualize
a beautiful little baby being born in a manger, wrapped in a blanket and
placed in a feeding trough, a deep and holy silence fills my soul. How
powerfully it shows that inherent beauty can literally permeate the most
humble place. If we would simply prepare a tiny lowly place in our
hearts and receive that beautiful child and all the glory that trails
this magnificent story, we would have a Christmas that would shine
forever in our minds like the Star over Bethlehem on that first
Christmas night. It would be a permanent beacon in our consciousness. The Orange Grove
Chorus prepared such a manger in my heart those two years. Their shining
faces keep shining in my mind. Their voices keep echoing through the
endless corridors of my memory. Their love keeps warming me to the core
of my soul. If you will
visualize this experience with me tomorrow, you can share in the glory
they gave me those two years. And why not join us in singing the song: If Christmas was
snow It might melt you
know Christmas might
melt and run away If it was
mistletoe It might kiss and
go Christmas might
kiss and go away If Christmas was
toys Then little girls
and boys Might have to
throw their Christmas away For toys often
break And their hearts
would ache To see their
Christmas tossed away Old Santa is dear He brings lots of
cheer But Santa is here
for just a day And greater by
far Is the Bethlehem
star Our first gift
that first Christmas day He’s the good
news about Christmas That shines in
our hearts every day And when you give
love Even just a
little hug You’ll have a
little Christmas today
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