I am a busy man today, trying to finish up the wrapping and ribbon tying on the many wonderful gifts I have purchased for my family. I figure on giving one each to the offspring, two to my close relative and some to the Grands! I don't rightly know how many some are; it just depends on my shopping skill each year and how much good stuff they have at the feed store and the hardware store.

I was duly impressed by the wonderful display of gifts at the feed store last year. I decided to start there this time. John Cummings knows how to order in what is gonna be needed! He had pots and pans, utensils for poking and stirring stuff, some real fancy leather billfolds and key chains. I figure a feller could never have too many key chains. Well, he outdid himself this year! I got several of the special jewelry things he had lined up on the shelf and a set of flower pots with Indian designs on them.

I then proceeded to the hardware store and the pickings were pretty easy there too. I got a handy dandy set of American made wrenches, a lantern that recharges on electricity and some perfume for the females. My only problem so far is that I didn't buy enough paper, so I have made do with some feed sacks and string. They look pretty darn good!

The stop at the tack store cost me more than I was planning on spending but, golly, what can you do when you see a saddle with your smallest little Grand's favorite pink leather stirrups and silver stars all over it? I just paid up and grinned. After all, a pink saddle won't be important for many more years!

I am sure looking forward to the unwrapping session and then we will all gather up at the dining room table and praise God for all our blessings and the wonderful meal we will eat! I can't get all I want because my body will hold just so much and I have to stop! But, thankfully, along about two or three o'clock, I can eat some more!

My close relative and I always attend the Christmas Eve service, and she expects all the family to show up. They will, they always have and we will celebrate the true meaning of this time. We need to hear the story of the virgin birth, the singing of angels, and bow our heads and hearts in devotion to the Christ Jesus.

It is my opinion, and everyone has one, the whoop-te-do over all the tinsel and lights is sure enough fun. I enjoy the blinking lights of all colors, and we sure have plenty of decoration in the house. I am sorta partial to the old glass balls on the tree, some from my childhood and some from my close relative's youth. But, and we must remember this, the main and most important thing is the shining in our hearts as we praise the One who came in flesh to save us sinners!

Bill is a pen name used by the Gravette author of this weekly column. The opinions expressed are those of the author.