Thank you for joining us all this week as Christian ministers and educators have shared Christmas memories. This Christmas morning, we offer the recollections of former Lookout editor Shawn McMullen. Enjoy, be blessed, and have a Merry Christmas!
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By Shawn McMullen
I’ve shared every Christmas of my life with the star that sits atop our Christmas tree. I inherited it years ago from my parents.
Manufactured in the 1940s by the NOMA Electric Corp. (makers of the once-popular Christmas tree bubble lights), the star is made from two pieces of shaped sheet metal, one slightly larger than the other. The smaller front piece is covered in white enamel and lightly brushed with blue. The larger piece creates a background and is painted red for contrast. A tiny dot of red glass occupies the star’s center. A small light bulb inserted into the back of the star emits a warm, indirect glow.
That’s my description. Most people would simply say it’s old and worn—and not without reason. The star is scarred with numerous scratches and dents acquired from more than six decades of Christmas appearances.
But then, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. To me, every other star on every other Christmas tree pales in comparison to this gem. It’s the Christmas star of my childhood, and the longer I live, the more beautiful it becomes.
Looking at the old star brings back vivid memories of bygone holidays, like sitting at the top of our stairs at the first light of Christmas morning with my brother Steve, attempting to make just the right amount of noise—enough to get people stirring, but not enough to make anyone angry.
It reminds me of epic childhood Christmas gifts: a Red Ryder BB gun, a Mattel VAC-U-FORM, and a Mighty Matilda Atomic Aircraft Carrier (made by Remco).
The star evokes warm memories of a lazy Susan brimming with English walnuts, chocolates, and oranges; of cheerful family gift exchanges around the Christmas tree; of Christmas dinner at our large kitchen table; and of listening to my father read the Christmas story. It reminds me that every Christmas offers unique opportunities to create lasting memories with family and friends.
The old star is part of our family’s Christmas heritage, a symbol of the bond Ree and I share with our children and grandchildren, a blending of traditions passed down to us by our parents. It’s a reminder that before we were born, our parents shared similar traditions with their parents. The star reminds me that our lives impact not only our children, but our children’s children, and their children after them.
And it reminds me of the true meaning of Christmas. I rarely look at it without thinking about the star over Bethlehem that led an ancient band of Persian wise men to the Son of God—a reminder that Christmas, above all else, is about hope.
Each year as we unpack our ornaments and bring out the Christmas star, I reflect on God’s eternal purpose fulfilled in Jesus Christ. I thank him for his mercy, worship him for his love and sacrifice, and recommit myself to serve him with gratitude and joy.
Former Lookout editor Shawn McMullen now serves as vice president of partner relations with the Christian Church Leadership Foundation in the Cincinnati area.
Shawn, you mentioned a brother, Steve, but didn’t you have another brother, Dave?? I attended Milligan when he was there (we called him “Sam”). He was a gem. Hope your Christmas was wonderful.
God bless,
jim Taylor