Happy Birthday

In 1958 cartoonist Stan Lynde launched a comic strip called "Rick O’Shay." It was about a young deputy sheriff and the people in a town named Conniption. The comic strip ran for 20 years, but I remember just one six panel strip. It stuck in my mind and every year I remember.

One of the characters was Hipshot Percussion. He was the good guy, bad guy. One Christmas, Hipshot is seen riding through town past the church, saloon, and houses. He could have stopped at anyone of them and would have been welcomed in, but he didn’t. Hipshot kept riding his horse out of town to a snow filled meadow where a bright star shown in the sky. It was there, all alone, he removed his hat and looked up at the star and said, "Happy birthday Boss."

One might need to have a little cowboy inside to understand how significant the message was, but let me try to explain the best I can. Hipshot was saying not now to all the trappings of that day and sought out a time alone with the One that really matters. He knew that in all the hustle in town he would not find the one to one peace he needed to say what he was feeling. It was personal. The way it should be.

As a boy I remember a Christmas when I was awake late into the night and I could see out my window into the cold darkness. I didn’t hear any sounds. It was especially quite and I was alone with my young boy thoughts. Then, for some reason, I became aware that I was not alone in my mind. A strange peace came over me and I knew, maybe for the first time, what Christmas is all about.

Take some time and get away by yourself where there are no distractions. Spend a few minutes or even hours.

Maybe you’ll find Christmas.

©2016