"Ring-a-ding-ding.
Ringity-dingity-ding." The sound floated towards me as I walked across a parking
lot the other day. I had enjoyed a rare lunch out with my daughter and decided
to do a little Christmas shopping before heading home. The department store
looked warm on that chilly, wintry day and the ringing bell beckoned me with its
sweet music.
As I got to the store entrance I saw the music maker.
He was an old bell ringer working tirelessly beside the Salvation Army bucket at
the front of the store. His lean frame and scruffy white beard made him look
like an underfed Santa Claus in blue jeans. His eyes sparkled and his face
shined with a youthful energy as he rang out a joyful rhythm with his little
bell. I fished a bill out of my wallet and dropped it in the bucket. The bell
ringer smiled and said, "God bless you. Have a Merry Christmas!" With a warm,
raspy voice.
I went into the store and tried to look around at all
the items for sale but my eyes kept drifting back to that wonderful music maker
out front. His aged arm never stopped ringing. His merry bell never stopped
singing. His body may have been old but his spirit was younger than mine.
His warm soul seemed immune to the cold, blustery
winds. His vitality seemed to come from Heaven itself. His efforts may not have
helped to feed every hungry child or help every homeless family. Yet, he was
working with all of his heart to help those he could. With a loving spirit and
swinging arm he was making this world a better place. I stood there wondering
what this planet of ours would be like if only all of us did the same.
May we all follow the shining example of this skinny
Santa in blue jeans. May our hearts ring out with God’s love. May our strong
arms never tire of helping others in need. And may we all do everything we can
to make this world a more Heavenly place at Christmastime and always.
Joseph J. Mazzella joemazzella@frontier.com
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.