I have many great memories of Christmas Eve experiences.
Before going to college these memories included trips to visit my grandparents in Bethlehem and Sunbury. While going to college they included trips to Sunbury to go caroling with Dianne and our friends in Sunbury. Our trips to Sunbury continued after our sons were born. These were exciting times.
Later, and for about a dozen years, we were responsible for planning and leading Christmas Eve services in our church. That was fun and rewarding. Then, for about 20 years, our interest switched to a Christmas celebration with our family. These included special dvd's of the past year, prayer and Bible reading, exchange of gifts, plenty of food and wonderful fellowship. These years produced great memories.
But there was one Christmas Eve which wasn't too great. I don't remember the exact year but I was about 30. We had two young boys who were looking forward to enjoying the holidays with their grandparents, two hours away in Sunbury.
I was suffering some serious undiagnosed back pain and was scheduled for two difficult tests in the hospital the day before Christmas when I had off from school. The plan was to complete the tests and then head to Sunbury that evening.
The first test was a spinal tap. I was in an examination room, almost nude, waiting for the procedure to begin. In walked a nurse and greeted me, "Hi Mr. Kauffman". I was stunned to see that the nurse was Vicki, a young lady who had been in my math class just a few years prior. I quickly learned the lesson that in the hospital there is no such thing as modesty. It was one of the first difficult memories of that day.
Next it was on to a myelogram. Over the years this procedure has improved but then it was a very difficult and painful procedure. I survived and was sent to a hospital room to wait for instructions to dismiss me. But we waited with no word from the surgeon. We were all eager to leave for our Christmas vacation.
So, we began trying to contact the surgeon reminding him that it was Christmas Eve and we were waiting to leave for the holiday. We were concerned that he might have forgotten me and left for his vacation. Finally, about 6 pm the word came and they quickly released me.
Then we faced the next challenge – snow. I was driving and decided to take the shorter but more difficult route- over the mountains through Tower City. Slippery roads made this a real challenge.
Next, I became very ill. I had to go to the bathroom but on Christmas Eve nothing was open. And I developed a tremendous headache which would last for days. But the Lord helped us to safely complete a very difficult but memorable trip.
We later found that severe headaches are a side effect of myelograms and that you should spend time on your back after the procedure – not driving through a snowstorm. But nobody warned me.
However, the Lord hadn't forgotten me. He had several angels ready to help. My wife drove me home while I was flat on my back on the rear seat. Angels helped our two young sons to behave as Dianne drove. Dianne's sister and her husband followed us to Lancaster County on their way back to West Virginia to make sure that we were safe. My father and my brother shoveled - by hand – our driveway and street so that we could get through the snow to our garage. Immanuel – God with us.
It indeed was a Christmas Eve which I will never forgot. And I will never forget the protection and provision of the Lord. And as I continue to suffer with increasing back problems, I need to remember how He took care of me and give Him the praise. What a great God He is!
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