It has become so very hard in this ever-bustling world to slowdown and savor the joy of Christmas. Seems as if there are 10things that were needed yesterday, added to the already fullschedule of day-to-day things that must be accomplished.

Every January, my first New Year’s resolution is that the nextChristmas is going to be calmer and slower. It has not happened forthe past 23 years, and I doubt it will happen in the next, butagain it will be first on my New Year’s resolution list.

Recently, I was sitting in the den at the home of a good friendwhile videotapes of Christmas programs from years gone by wereplaying on the TV. I sat there mesmerized, watching his girls andmine singing away. Gee, I thought to myself, time has gone by sofast. It seems like just yesterday they were little cherubs singingtheir hearts away.

Pausing to reflect upon past Christmases brings vast memories ofwonderful times — calm and peaceful times. We all have manyChristmas memories that evoke special thoughts.

Under the guidance of Jan Melancon, the First United MethodistChurch of Brookhaven produced a collection of Christmas memoriesfrom some of the church’s senior members.

The stories are wonderful.

Sue Commander recalls how her father would gather her brotherand her to him on Christmas Eve to read Christmas stores. She alsoreflects on Granddaddy Tatum’s mercantile. which was full of toysthat he let her play with before Christmas.

Dovie Moncrief remembers Christmas dinner and her father’s loveof raisins.

Prue Parnell talks about the standing ovation she received forher recitation of “The Night Before Christmas.”

Nell Swilley talks about a special orange she received from anaunt, and Norma Thames reveals her system of sneaking fruitcake andcandy from her unsuspecting mother.

On a more somber side, Ray Thames reflects on his Christmasexperiences in Germany during World War II.

Butler Reeves reflects on his basic training at Camp Fannin,Texas, which started on Christmas Eve. He also recalls a specialChristmas service in Schlettenbach, Germany.

Ralph Smith reminisces about his tour in Iran.

Others, such as Sugar Furlow and Lexine Graham, talk about earlyBrookhaven memories from a time that was much slower than now.

Theirs are wonderful stories that paint a picture of a time whenlife was not quite so hectic and pleasures were simple.

Christmas is a time of remembering. It is a time to reflect andappreciate the blessings that have been bestowed upon each ofus.

Unfortunately, today’s commercialization of the Christmasholidays leaves little time to do that.

Here’s to finding that time and adding to those memories.

Merry Christmas.

Write to Bill Jacobs at P.O. Box 551, Brookhaven, Miss.39602, or send e-mail to bjacobs@dailyleader.com.