To: the people I've been spending Christmas with for twenty-six years
From: Jake
Jimbo behind the wheel
On the way to Iowa
Gary, Nyla, and the whole family waiting
‘Gotta arrive in style-a (wait, that’s me…)
Chelsey Recker is riding shotgun
Reading a book; solving a crossword puzzle
No…she’s probably sleeping
Her face cuddled up to Lola’s muzzle
Ten inches of snow
Black ice on Hwy 63
That’s no problem for Jim+Chels
Because this Caddy is a nineteen-ninety
There’s the sign for Chester!
Is this terrible drive finally over?
Nope – white knuckles for twenty-eight more miles
New Hampton, why aren’t you closer?
Dad+Mom hosting the whole family
For Christmas Eve this year
The Fischers, Grays, and Kowalewskis gather
Who bought Jeff his favorite beer?
Jeff, the IPA just isn’t my brew
And I have another alternative to suggest
Find yourself a Hobgoblin
And put some hair back on your chest
Presents are exchanged
Bellies are full, all is well
Man, I bet there were mashed potatoes
They don’t have those below the thirtieth parallel…
The celebration winds down
Families depart two by three by four
Only my parents remaining
These two I really adore
The house is quiet
They make their way to bed
But as they wait for sleep
Questions running in each head
There’s snow on the driveway
Why is there cheesecake left?
Tommy was sort of quiet without his buddy
No one to talk cars with Geoff
But before you start to miss me
Let’s remember what’s special about this day
This is a birthday party, after all
And to the Man of the hour I owe some say:
Last but not least
Jesus, there is You
A perfect Man – a King of kings
You lived to be only thirty-two(ish)
You died on a cross
And then returned to say
“Go and make disciples of all the nations”
Words you are speaking to young ones still today
I know I’m breaking tradition by being absent this year, and I can’t express how much I miss being with you all. Until now, I haven’t really felt like I was making much of a sacrifice by being on the World Race, because it seems like God is doing so much more in me than He is through me. It really is amazing to be the one out in the nations sharing His love.
Your constant words of encouragement mean so much, and to know you are for me is an incredible gift. A very Merry Christmas, to all my beloved family and friends! I love you!
