While thinking back on Christmases past and looking forward to Christmases future, I thought of one of the most memorable Christmases I could experience. When I was a small boy, my Uncle Roy Wilborn got saved (year unknown late 1960s or early 1970s).
That year at Christmas, as we always did when I was a boy, we gathered together at my Grandma and Grandpa Wilborn’s residence. My dad, Billie “Bo” Wilborn, the oldest son and a preacher, was normally called upon to say the blessing at our family get-togethers. But that year was different.
My daddy always believed in doing what the Holy Spirit bid him to do. So, ahead of time, he asked his brother [Roy], who hadn’t been saved very long at the time, if he would say the blessing that particular year.
Uncle Roy brought in a Bible, given to him by one of his sisters, with the inscription, “Presented to Roy Wilborn who was saved (the specific date).” When it was time for Roy to say the blessing, he first testified about how he would always know the date that he was saved because of that inscription. He talked about the saving grace of God and then led one of the most beautiful and powerful prayers that one could ever hear. There was hardly a dry eye in the house.
Uncle Roy had received the greatest gift that has ever been given to mankind, the gift of eternal life. He gave me and everyone there the pleasure of hearing about his experience and the joy of rejoicing with him.
There were many other Christmases to follow before my grandparents and all of their children departed this life, but never was there one more impressionable to me than that year.
God saved me when I was a little boy, and that’s all I know. I’ve often wished I had the date written down somewhere as my Uncle Roy did, but I know that God did save me, and that is why I love Christmas; I love God’s gift that came on Christmas Day.
I do not believe in Christmas wishes, and I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions. Instead of wishing, I choose to pray. It’s been my experience that wishes seldom ever come, but God answers prayers. So this would be my Christmas prayer, that all of my friends, all of my family, all of my coworkers, and even my enemies would know the true meaning of Christmas as experienced by my Uncle Roy and the rest of his family many Christmases ago.
If possible, which it IS NOT, I would personally wrap salvation in the finest wrapping paper with bows and ribbons and give it to all the people mentioned above. But it is not possible. However, my prayers for you can be answered if people will not harden their hearts.
I have never had a lot of material things, but I have the greatest thing mankind ever received…salvation. Another prayer I would have for each of you who are suffering the loss of a loved one at this precious time of year is that the God of Peace and Consolation would bring you comfort. God does not take away our hurt and our pain, but God will, and he does help us and can ease our pain.
In closing, I would simply say I wish you all a Merry Christmas and I hope you find the true meaning of the season.
Ricky Wilborn
Fort Payne, AL
