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News Releases
December 29, 2009
Faith and Family by Greg WolfWe are into the Christmas season, which has come to mean so many things, some of them certainly more meaningful than others. It is a worthy time to reflect on what it means to each of us. My own regard for Christmas is shaped by my upbringing, where we tried to remember the birth of Christ above all, but also enjoyed some Christmas traditions and family experiences, though in a somewhat restrained manner. Today I realize that December 25 doesn't even represent the actual birth date of Christ, and that much of the hubbub around the holiday can actually be quite a distraction. Yet, still, it is a time that can have special moments and meaning if we seek them seriously enough, whether considering the birth of the Son of God--whichever date it took place--or enjoying the blessings of family and friends.
Regarding the birth of Jesus, in what has been called the "post-modern" era of human history, I wonder how relevant the observance of his birth is to humanity. That is a question that can only be answered by each of us personally. Years ago, I ran across a story that illustrates how the observance of the birth of the Prince of Peace literally quieted a war. It is a beautiful thought and, in different ways for us personally and as families, the same can be true this year and every year.
Lieutenant Gitz Rice was a member of a famous Canadian regiment which went to France in World War I. The regiment fought in Flanders' Fields. It fought across the desolate "no man's land" under cover of a fearsome barrage--sometimes even without the sheltering from shells.
Rice's company carried a strange implement of war--a piano. On that piano in France, Gitz Rice composed one of the famous songs of the soldiers, "Mademoiselle from Armentieres."
The afternoon before Christmas Eve, it was decided that the piano should be taken up to the front-line trenches. It was hoisted into an army truck and finally deposited at its destination.
Peace had settled over "no man's land" that night. But the barbed wire remained and a morning attack threatened each side. The hostile troops were so close that one could hear them conversing.
Shortly before the hour of midnight, Rice began playing Christmas carols in the British trench. First he played, "Silent Night, Holy Night." This was followed by "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" and other beloved carols familiar to the Christian world.
The Canadian soldiers sang lustily--then, they paused. From across the shallow field, they heard the German troops singing with them. It was Christmas Eve!
Rice then played an aria from Wagner's "Tannhauser." As he began the opening chords, a Canadian soldier mounted the rim of the parapet and sang the words.
"More! More!" shouted the Germans. Then one of their own singers, with a rich baritone voice, repeated the song to Rice's accompaniment, standing as a target for British rifles.
Such incidents bring to light the seeds of goodwill which are hidden in the hard soil of our embittered world. If we look for them, we can find them. (from the Gospel Banner)
Circumstances are a little unique for my family this year in that we have no particular Christmas plans with extended family. There are several good reasons for this; but, still, it is impressing upon me how much I have taken my family for granted over the years. At a time so often associated with gifts, it is good to think about our families and friends as gifts. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights....", James 1:17. Different families have different levels of appreciation for each other as gifts. My colleague Chuck Marshall from Wichita told me about a conversation one of his clients shared with him. The client is a bank president and was talking to his wife about planning time with their families over this last Thanksgiving. She shared with him that she had observed over the years that "when we are with my family at Thanksgiving, it is all about the family; and when we are with your family at Thanksgiving, it is all about the family business." It is appropriate to be thankful for everything, but it seems like a perfect time, perhaps especially if you are involved together in a family business, to remember the pure gift of family, irrespective of business roles and relationships.
One way to really make that come alive is to express, this very Christmas, how appreciative you are for the gift of your family. Another way is to think about it in reverse--what kind of a gift do I represent to my family and friends? Beyond the gravitation toward self-love and self-help, and the often hierarchical nature of relationships, especially in a family business, how might I think about giving myself to my spouse, children, extended family or friends? This might lead into some New Year's resolutions regarding commitments to call, to write, to serve, or otherwise "to do" for others. Surely, the best way to acknowledge the gift of a loved one is to "give yourself away" to them.
Editor's note: Greg Wolf is a consultant with Kennedy and Coe, LLC (www.kcoe.com) and works to help clients of the firm navigate toward better returns in all areas of their businesses. He is based in the firm's Pratt, Kan., office and can be reached at 620-672-7476.
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