Psalm 67

As a child, I looked forward to the company Christmas party hosted each year for the families of the employees of the Allis Chalmers manufacturing plant in LaPorte, Indiana. It was always exciting because Santa came and each child received a gift.

One year, I received a tea set. Another time I got a teddy bear. But the best gift was the year I was given a bright orange metal toy Allis Chalmers tractor. It was very sturdy with rubber wheels and a steering wheel that turned. It looked just like the real thing. My dad made gears for the tractors, and each time I played “tractor” I could imagine him making the gears and my uncles using the tractors on their farms.

When I was nine years old, my father died, so I don’t have too many memories of him. To this day, I have a special affinity for tractors and must always be photographed beside any old Allis Chalmers tractor that I see because just maybe my dad made the gears for that tractor.

~ Ruth Dunham

Prayer

Gracious God, we have wonderful memories of Christmases past and what makes most of them so wonderful are the loved ones and friends, many of who have joined the Church Triumphant. Grant that we may contribute toward making wonderful memories for our loved ones and friends this Christmas. We thank You for Your love that makes all of us Your children and for the joy we anticipate upon entering heaven and seeing You face-to-face and our loved ones who have gone before us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.