Wishing You an “Andy Griffith” Christmas
Andy Griffith passed away more than a year ago, but his memory lives on every day as his TV shows and movies are aired all over America. The iconic “Andy Griffith Show” is one most of us remember watching while growing up. The first season the show was on featured a Christmas special. In the episode, local department store owner Ben Weaver—a crusty, old curmudgeon—insists Andy jail a man over Christmas. Andy, Barney, Aunt Bee, the prisoner’s wife and children, and others end up spending Christmas Eve in the jailhouse, celebrating together.
By the end of the episode, the department store owner is so touched by how happy everyone is, he has a change of heart and joins everyone celebrating Christmas.
The episode, which is kind of a condensed-version of A Christmas Carol, may seem a little cheesy today, but it’s wholesome. I once heard a preacher say, “If you want to know how to treat people, treat them the way Andy Griffith would.”
It’s true. “Sheriff Taylor” always greeted people with a smile and made them feel welcome no matter who they were. I think most of us would like to be treated that way.
Every year it seems like this season becomes a little less jolly. Between frantic shopping sprees and busy get-togethers, it’s easy to lose sight of what we’re celebrating. This Christmas I hope we all can pause and remember the reason we have joy at Christmastime, and I hope we remember to treat others “the way Andy Griffith would.”
I’ve been saying it all week, but it bears repeating: Without great friends like you, there’s just no way Family Council would still be here. Your support means everything to us. If you have not already done so, I hope you will consider making a generous, tax-deductible gift of $50 by clicking here, and I hope you and your family have a very “Andy Griffith” Christmas.
All this week we have been talking about Christmas and reminiscing about different Christmas memories from days gone by. Today I wanted to share about one of my most vivid Christmas memories: A Christmas greeting from space.