The Real Christmas Tree

As I was growing up the Christmas Tree was always a very special thing in the Brannen household. Very early in life (when I was in 3rd or 4th grade of school) I remember hearing of people who questioned whether we should have a Christmas tree at Church. Later I learned that some questioned whether we Christians should have a Christmas tree at all, even in our homes, because it "had reference to pagan religions". After I became an adult and was Pastor of a Church I realized that we Americans were putting too much emphasis on the tree when our choir sung an ode to the Christmas tree called "Oh Christmas Tree". Read the lyrics of that song and perhaps you will understand how much it sounds like someone is worshiping a tree.

But to me as a child, the Christmas Tree somehow captured the essence of Christmas. It was attractive. The house was filled with the aroma of crushed pine needles mixed with popcorn which had been used to make decorations for the tree. First we popped the corn. Then, with needle and thread, the individual popped kernels were sewn together in about three to six foot lengths of popcorn, then hung in scalloped fashion around the tree. Lights would also be hung round the tree. Handmade ornaments, purchased ornaments, or ornaments Mom had received as gifts were hung there. Then, "angel hair" was placed on the tree as a type of covering. Well, I'm not sure of the order that these things were placed on the tree, but at the top of the tree there would be a lighted angel or a Star to crown the tree. These trees were usually at least six feet tall and were freshly cut from the field by our Daddy (usually after December 1st - at least that fresh). Of course it did not take long for them to dry out, especially when they stood close to the warm morning heater that usually heated our modest home. In addition there were popcorn balls made by rolling popped corn in blackstrap molasses. What wonderful treats they were. Peanut butter pin-wheels, divinity fudge, fruit-cake, and other goodies filled our tummies at this time of year. All of this was filled with joy. Even now it brings gushings of thanksgiving for the wonderful heritage we have.

The tree also was the place to put presents once they had been wrapped. Our presents were under the tree for about three weeks before Christmas. Our curiosity would be driven to it's highest level as we tried to figure out what "Ole Santa" had brought for us. We would pick up the box and test it's weight...try to smell the contents through the red and green wrappings... shake the box...just anything to try and figure out what we were getting from under the tree for Christmas. We would start begging Mom and Dad to open the presents early for we could hardly live with the excitement of this wonderful Christmas tree.

Now imagine - the year that Mom decided it was too much trouble to put up a Christmas tree because we were now living in town and the price had gone astronomically to $3 each. Then, with all the lights and trimmings to buy to put on the tree, it was just too expensive. She bought a little fake tree about a foot an a half tall with gum balls on it, brought it in and put it on a table and announced that this was going to be our tree this year. I was sooooo disappointed. I remember that I was working part-time by now for the fantastic sum of .35cents per hour and decided that I would buy a REAL tree, so went to Shwegman's Grocery and picked it out myself, paid for it and brought it home. Mom decided that if it meant that much to me she would then decorate the tree. (If any of my siblings remember this story differently, maybe you can enlighten us.)

Now -- to the real thought about the tree. The real Christmas Tree is the Cross of Jesus. It was not attractive, although the light of Heaven's Glory shone down on history at that tree. On that tree was blood and gore. The stench of crushed human flesh filled the air. Around the tree were soldiers with instruments of cruel torture in their hands as they hurled insults towards the man on that tree.

Perhaps a few feet back from that crowd of cruel jeerers was a trembling group of family and close friends of the man on the tree. The people in this group cried - especially his mother. Jesus died. But oh what a tree. This was a REAL CHRISTMAS TREE! The gift of God's son hung there until salvation's plan was finished and the gift was purchased that brought salvation to you and me. Thank you, God, for the gift of the REAL Christmas Tree.

Holidays

We have an advantage on the Christmas holidays. A lotta years ago we started having our Brannen Christmas at Thanksgiving because my parents and Frances' parents lived about 600 miles apart - and we could not afford the gas money to make two trips to visit them with no time to recoup the travel expense in between. I think it was my Mom's idea (maybe because she was always wanting to open Christmas presents early?) Or maybe it was Daddy who wanted to open presents early. :) Anyhow — we have the Brannen Christmas at Thanksgiving - then go to the Hildreth's at Christmas until now. Works nicely for us. So our Christmas tree was put together early and holly is hanging already.

Thursday, we had our normal food fling at my sister Bonita's house. More food and drink and merry-making than the law allows. I am SO BLESSED to have been with all my siblings (Wilmon, Lowell, Bonita, and Donice and their spouses). Of our Fred Brannen's family, only Tabitha, the preacher in our group, is experiencing the same thing that we used to experience in earlier years, the need to be in two different places at the same time. And Mom was there. Alive and well, and still able to preach. She recently traveled more than a thousand miles to preach. My two sisters both live here in Cleveland. One brother lives here. The other brother lives in Texas but has bought near here (about 20 miles away) in anticipation of his retirement. Aren't I blessed?

Friday, I took my good friend Ed Williams and his son and three grandsons, plus one of the grandson's friends up to my cabin in the mountains. We built a campfire and ate and played music and sung and had a great time roasting marshmallows for the finale. It was deer hunting season so Ed and I took rifles. Young people left about 2:00p so Ed and I hunted some - then took the long way home through Tellico Plains. I started to feel nauseous and head-achy, so decided to let Ed drive. By the time I got home I was losing my lunch. I was S-I-C-K! This morning I am feeling a little better but not much. After losing all that food and going through all that pain I had a good thought - "ahhhhh" said I, "The good thing is I've probably lost weight!" But guess what? I still weigh the thing that I did before Thanksgiving.

Go figure!

You've Gotta Hear This

Jerry Lee Lewis from YouTube!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vdzp8yX3kM

This is the way I remember him. There are other videos of him in more recent years which you also may enjoy. I once had a long play record album of him singing 10 or 12 religious songs but alas it is no longer to be found. Enjoy!

Fall Foliage Tour

Frances and I together with Dewain and Debbie, and Rhonda (Debbie's Sister) and her husband Jerry took the train from Chattanooga's Grand Junction down to Summerville, Georgia on Saturday. It was a terrific time of family fun for us all. If you haven't ridden the train lately you should aim to do this with someone you love. Here's a few pictures!

Along the way I thought of Daddy too often to mention. His stories of his hobo days were in our conversations of course. Also Frances and I sung some train songs, or at least parts thereof, like "weeeeeee ouuuuuuuu, weee-ouuuu, weee-ouuu, wee - oh brother if you get to heaven you must get off th freight, just the glory special takes you to the pearly gates -- don't you hear that whistle blowing, hear it coming down the track, hear them wheels a turnin, see the smoke a rollin back, better get your ticket, sinner it's not comin back -- all a board, all a board, all aboard this train for Glory Land!"

What a fun way to spend a Saturday in the Fall in Tennessee.

The Phoebe Grey Orphanage, Liberia

It is sad to see the poverty and devastation that I see on a regular basis in my travels through many countries in Africa. I have been to the Phoebe Grey Memorial Orphanage in Monrovia, Liberia and know that this video is totally a true picture of genuine needs. If you click on this link <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvKRmjiuq0o> you will see a report which was inspired by Richard Baker when he was there about two or three months ago. He was deeply touched by what he saw and came home with a committment in his heart to do something. It convicts me that I often find myself looking at these situations and thinking that the need is so great that I cannot do it all, therefore do nothing. I have five major orphanage efforts going in Africa and do just a little towards helping them all - but I don't do near enough. I invite you to see this video with an open heart and let the Lord speak to you.

If clicking fails to take you there, try copying and pasting into your browser.

A Few Pictures

The Atlantic Ocean to the left - The Gulf of Mexico to the right.

One of our tour bus "comfort" stops.

Picture of our ship made from the tour bus.

Wonderful views were had from the deck of our ship at each port of call.

Fred spent lots of time on the balconey

Frances fit in perfectly with the exotic scenery!

Inside one of the ship's many dining rooms.

Can't Believe I Did It

Have you missed me?

As I sit here and reflect on the FANTASTIC CRUISE Frances and I took from Ft. Lauderdale, FL to St. Maartens, St Lucia, and St. Kitts aboard the Carnival Miracle, my body is still swaying to the gentle roll of the great ship. It was indeed a "once in a life-time" thing. I was in the Coast Guard for four years, so I had been on ships both large and small but I was not prepared for this experience. It was a royal treat to have coffee already made (24 hours a day) and waiting for one to turn on the spigot and draw out a cup full of the full-bodied aromatic blend that only a sailor can make! Can you believe 24 hours a day fresh Pizza? Exotic Asian foods of every sort? Escargot, Kalamari, Shrimp, Red Snapper, Tilapia, baked, grilled, fried, grits, gravy eggs benedict, boiled eggs, omelette of your choice, French toast, pancakes, bacon, sirloin steaks every night - or your choice of a dozen entrees...too much to consume and too much to remember it all. This was the third vacation we have taken in the last nine years so I was ready for it. Now it's time to get back to work - but - waaaaaaaaaaashhhhhhhh! I don't wanna gooooooooooo!

We were with friends from Lenoir City - Frances' sister andbrother-in-law Curtis and Elizabeth Fritts, Ron and Priscilla Tarpley, Tom and Barbara Evensen, together with Roy and Geneva Hamilton. The fellowship with them while experiencing this trip was like icing on the cake. Our getting onto the ship, relaxing aboard ship, the sight-seeing trips into the islands, going through customs and immigration, were all made more pleasant because of this company.

One thing I must tell you about is the fact that there was a chapel on board the ship. On Sunday, our tour leader (Barbara Evensen) had made arrangements for us to have a worship time in the chapel and asked me to be the speaker. It was a wonderful thing for me to be able share my heart with these friends.

OK - gotta get to work! Ugh.