"Christmas has always been a very special day for as long back as I can remember," Ronald Reagan once reminisced, writing in a letter. "Maybe this was due to my mother and her joyous spirit about the day."
Although President Reagan could have spent his White House Christmases with family at his beloved ranch in Santa Barbara, Calif., he instead stayed in Washington, D.C. This way, his sacrifice allowed Secret Service agents and other aides to spend Christmas at home with their families. He was a thoughtful person.
Reagan grew up in a desperately poor family. His father was a shoe sales clerk who had trouble keeping a job, partly because he was an alcoholic. "There were very few decorated trees in the years of my growing up,” Reagan said when recalling his childhood. “But never defeated, my mother would with ribbon and crepe paper decorate a table or create a cardboard fireplace out of a packing box. And she always remembered whose birthday it was and made sure we knew the meaning of Christmas."
His mother Nelle was an optimistic Christian woman who always looked for the positive side in every situation. President Reagan explained, no matter how bad things were for their family, his mother was always finding someone worse off than them. Reagan’s most vivid early memory of his mother was of her taking a covered dish to a needy family. Nelle was always gladly helping others.
Perhaps those lean years are one reason why Ronald Reagan once said a particular Christmas gift was especially memorable for him, calling it "a gift truly in keeping with the spirit of the day.” It became his favorite gift. His older brother, Neil, gave it to him after struggling to find a suitable gift for his brother. At the time, they both were middle-aged adults with successful careers.
Neil solved his dilemma by writing a letter. In the letter, Neil told his brother he had found a truly needy family with small children "who wouldn’t go to bed with dreams of Santa Claus in their head." Ronald Reagan recounted how his brother Neil changed that and "became Santa himself, providing a Christmas from tree to turkey plus toys and gifts for all." Included in Neil’s letter was a very detailed, blow-by-blow account, describing the "joy of the children and the grateful happiness of their mother."
This act of charitable giving by Neil reads like the ending of Charles Dickens’ "A Christmas Carol," thus becoming President Reagan’s most unforgettable Christmas gift. He called it "a gift that will never grow old," as he enjoyed re-reading the letter and thinking about the family’s reaction to Neil’s generosity.
Helping and serving others gives true joy and happiness, not only to the recipient, but even more so to the giver. Maybe Neil’s gift was particularly touching to Reagan because he knew what it was like to go without.
Today, there are still families out there who are in difficult circumstances, facing a bleak Christmas. A gift like Neil’s may be the perfect gift for you to give to that someone in your life who has everything. Your church or locally based charities such as the Salvation Army are aware of needy families. You could make a difference and receive special Christmas joy by giving to a family who has hit hard times. Then, write a letter similar to Neil’s describing the family’s reactions, and give it as a gift. This is the true spirit of Christmas.
While speaking to the nation on Christmas Eve 1984, President Reagan said “families and friends across America will join together in caroling parties and Christmas Eve services. Together,” he said imparting his usual optimism, “we’ll renew that spirit of faith, peace, and giving which has always marked the character of our people.”
At the end of his tale, Dickens writes, "it was always said of [Scrooge], that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May this be said of all of us. And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!"
Merry Christmas!
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If only we could go back to that great point in time when people of all beliefs could somehow manage to get along. Please help someone out this year, to help bring back that feeling of what Christmas is all about.
Thank you so much for sharing all the wonders of the man we knew and loved. He was in my opinion, and I'm sure, others, the greatest President of the past century. It is gratifying to know when a person has had little growing up, that they can still maintain their strength of character and dignity to of all things end up to be a President of the United States. God bless Ronald Reagan. I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and extend a special wish to Mrs. Ronald Reagan and our illustrious Floyd Brown.
Hopefully Sandra, HE is where he deserves to be. He did many great things for this great nation.
Thanak you,
Norman Simmons – Centennial, CO.-
A very timely message, thank you!! Where is Mr Regan when we need him!!!
Hello Floyed Brown. I have to thank you for sharing this story of Pres. Ronald Reagan for he was a great man in his walk of life and I for one had great respect for him. It is almost Christmas now, so I take this time to say MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL PEOPLE AND TO YOU AND YOURS. Lets pray that our next year will be much better for all, with Peace and Caring to share the whole year instead of just for a day.. Merry Christmas from; n. Lone Eagle
It was good to read that.Thank goodness for some past presidents as I fear we are in grave danger of losing our great country and the way it should be.
Too bad we do not have more like Reagan. The last four have been scumbags.
We must never forget ou Judeo-Christian roots. As French observers noted fifty years ago, it is what happens within our churches and synogogues that makes America great. in our city, Jews and Christians work side by side in soup kitchens, collecting for the unfortunate, visiting the sick and imprisoned. Jesus was a Jew and the good news he preached was delivered to the world by Jews from Israel, starting from Jerusalem, centuries before Islam existed. When Israel becamea nation again in the twentieth century, there were no permanant settlements in the land. Those that called themselves Palestinians were Nomands. They just passed through the area looking for grazing for their herds. Let us celebrate the Jew from ancient Israel, who came to bring us peace and salvation.
I'm guessing that they are celebrating X-mas at OUR White House this year.
You mean CHRISTMAS?? Don't you?? or do you leave CHRIST out of the picture?? Thank you,
Norman.-
Probably means "Xmas" because at our White House at the present time IS without Christ.
What a wonderful story. My husband & I have not given out any gifts this year. I haven't sent out any Christmas cards. We are planning on spending the money that we would have spent on others, by helping our families who will not be havning any sort of Christmas this year. We have been told by others that we should feel badly about not exchanging gifts. We don't feel this way though. I would much rather help others who would not be able to celebrate Christmas. Where I live there are many people without jobs & have lost their homes. Some have been lucky enough to move in with another family; however, many are living outside & sleeping on the ground in the forests at night. I figure I can go without exchanging gifts, decorating the house, or sending out Christmas cards..that's the least I can do for these poor folks who have nothing.
God Bless you and yours thats the real spirit of Christmas God gave the greatest gift of all when he gave his only son to be born in a manger and die on a cross! Jesus is the readon for the season.
I am so touched by your generosity. You are an angel on earth. I'm sure you are doing the right thing if you are following your heart. God is blessing you, "for it is more blessed to give then to receive". You'll have a wonderful Christmas. It will be a Christmas that will never be forgotten. Thank you.
excuse my spelling Reason for the season
We celebrated this Christmas by instead of giving gifts to each other, my wife and I gave a certain amount to go to Missionaries supported by our Church.
this was a wonderful president, too bad the one we have now is not like the great RONALD REAGAN, THE ONE WE HAVE NOW IS SPENDING 4,000, DOLLARS A DAY TO GO TO HAWAII, WHILE MOST PEOPLE DON'T EVEN HAVE A JOB, WHAT A AWFUL PERSON WE HAVE FOR A PRESIDENT NOW.
Marilyn – YOU ARE SO RIGHT!!! – - But unfortunately – WE will have to PUT UP with this Islam, African radical for his term in office.. BUT you CAN BET and BE ASSURED that THIS vote will NOT GO TO HIM!! I did NOT vote for this unidentified citizen who does NOT belong – neither as OUR President or to reside in our WHITE HOUSE.. If I could VOTE to impeach him.. I'd be right up front with MY VOTE.. THE SAD THING IS THAT MY great-great CHILDREN WILL STILL BE PAYING FOR THE DEBT THE IS GETTING US INTO.
Ronald Reagen was not even a mediocre president. He broke the law and should have been impeached–Iran-Contra was real and was really egregiously bad. He started dismantling the regulatory functions of our government, a process which has led to the worst economic crash in our country since the Great Depression. Barack Obama was not the cause of our recent economic crash, but Ronald Reagen was partially responsible. Floyd start telling the truth and stop spreading lies about President Obama.
As has been said many times, Ronald Reagan was one of a kind, both as a human & a president. Prehaps, just prehaps we could all be a little humble (including our current President) and take heed from Reagan's many lessons. There are no God's on earth, and very few superior human beings, but Reagan was close in my mind. He lived for the people, gave to the people, protected the people and did right for the people. That's what I'd like to see in government again. God is blessing us now! Some lessons are just harder learn then others.
Merry Christmas one and all! Thank God I still have the right to say what I want, for now. The spirit of giving is in each of us. Give as often as you can and you will reap 10 fold, "for it is more blessed to give the to receive".
Rosa,
All that I can say to your comment is: "GOD BLESS AMERICA" and those who do not like that concept – GET THE HECK OUT OF HERE and live where ever else you want. God is and will be part – always – of our lives. Thank you.-
Floyd,
It takes a man of greatness to be a leader. A true leader is a humble man. He insures that his subordinates are given credit. He accepts failures as his own fault. Ronald Reagan was just such a man. It is a shame there are not more men in public life such as he.
JAmes. I am sure that the men you speak about DO EXISTS – BUT with the clan of illegals that are ruining our country- there is NO ROOM for the type of MAN that you speak of. From the President – who is an Islam radical born in Africa and has no right to be in our White house,and all his followers, should be voted out of the government as soon as it can be possible. I know that I will not vote for any of the ones that are in "power" right now in the next elections. They can forget it!!
I Just wish we had a PRESIDENT like PRESIDENT HARRY S. TRUMAN RATHER THAN THE ONE WE HAVE NOW
Paul
Paul, Any Red Blooded "AMERICAN" could be a much better President than the Radical African Islam that we have now.. I have NO IDEA how in heavens name he got that far?? Tell me which other "President" had an airplane for all his traveling?? at his entire disposal?? NEVER and NO ONE has ever had AN AIRPLANE all for themselves..I read somewhere that MANY of "HIS" votes – came from people who have passed away YEARS AGO.. GOOD ONE!!! HUH??!!
Be thankful for the good presidents we have had and pray for the bad ones, especially this one we have now. This was a wonderful gift, a letter describing good deeds. I appreciate it greatly.
Thanks Floyd, great message about a great man! Hopefully, someday the "Charlie Metz's" of this country will start to see the insanity of their political ideology and come to believe in the very simple principles set forth by our "Founding Fathers", and carried forward by the great ones like President Reagan. Many of us have have had the good fortune, or misfortune depending on how you look at it, of living as productive members of society during the terms of one of the greatest Presidents in American history……and the worst president in American history! It is those memories of times during and immediately after Reagan that inspire me onward today. The courage, faithfulness, and the indominable spirit of the true American Patriot are what made this country great……and will make her great once again! As Mr. Franklin put it "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing" well, America is full of good people and we are doing something about the evil that fills the halls of the White House and Congress! We will rise again with dignity and honor! Fellow Americans….I salute you, now lets get to work and clean up this Republic!!!
thanks floyd —— very well spoken words at such a special time of the year !
—–letting god be our " guide " —-not a " target "
god bless you my friend ! Merry Christmas Floyd, to you and your family !
Ronald Reagan was the finest president of the 20th Century. We all have to be sure to vote next November and remember RULE ONE: Never vote for either an incumbent OR a democrat and, maybe, we'll get control of our country again. Our four great grandsons will have a terrible life if we allow these democrat/liberal/socialists to remain in power. It's time for the parties to disappear in favor of patriots in Washington who adhere to the Constitution , Bill of Rights and whe revere the Founding Fathers only, and no lawyer should be allowed to serve in the congress, but a few advisor lawyers would suffice. Merry Christmas to all and God Bless America
I had the privelege of seeing President Ronald Reagan at the Hyatt Regency Hotel when he publicly congratulated the Voyager (world flight) crew. He had a real presence, totally at ease. Seeing and hearing Ronald Reagan was like meeting with a beloved and cherished friend. God Bless Ronny.
BO is the anthisis of President Ronald Reagan. Actually we should thank BO for exposing the ugly underbelly of the beast that has been slowly coiled itself in the heart of our great nation. We could sure use a couple guys like George Washington and Ronald Reagan right now. Come on people! We need to become Self Sufficient! It's now or never!
When are we going to impeach Obama, Pelosi and Reid?
Not soon enough for me. Lets get rid of the idiots and put Sara Palin in as president.
I have been reading your articles that my brother sends to me, and I personly believe that Ronald Regan was the greatest president of the 20th century
President Reagan was a wonderful man and a great President. Obama is spending thousands of our dollars playing and being so absorbed with himself in Hawaii. He is such a shame and disgrace.
Thanks for the lovely story of President Reagan. It's so nice to read something pleasant and enlightening.
Blessings, Stanley Lamb
I am sorry, that has interfered… I understand this question. It is possible to discuss.
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