My neighbors Parker and Patty are always telling me how proud they are to be a part of Port O Connor, Texas. They say it is a great community and so friendly. A couple of weekends after Thanksgiving, Patty’s grandson Peter arrived to spend the weekend. He carried in a big tote bag full of things he called his ‘party project,’ and asked his Nana Patty if she would help him. Nana agreed they would start the next morning.
Peter got up early ready to work. He pulled out a cake mix and box of birthday candles and told Nana they needed to bake a birthday cake. While it was in the oven baking, Peter and Patty planned a special dinner menu. Peter explained he wanted to use the pretty dishes and they needed an extra place for the guest of honor. Patty asked who that might be and Peter told her not to worry. The surprise would be great. Peter talked to all the family telling them the birthday party dinner would begin at 6 sharp. Then Peter pulled out three boxes and asked Nana to help him wrap the presents and no opening the boxes. When the table was set, the cake decorated, the presents wrapped, the special dinner cooked and it was almost time, Peter washed his hands and face, combed his hair and came into the kitchen excited to begin the party.
Every member took their usual place at the table except the guest chair next to Peter stayed empty. Papaw asked Peter where the guest of honor was and Peter asked Papaw to say grace and pass the food. Nana wanted to wait for the guest but Peter insisted, so with clasped hands the family said grace and passed the bowls and platters around the table. Peter carefully placed a small amount of each dish on the plate for the guest of honor. When everyone was served, Peter started to eat. Again the others asked if they should not wait for the guest, but Peter was adamant.
When everyone had enjoyed their fill of roast beef, potatoes and vegetables, Peter asked Nana to bring out the pretty cake on the birthday cake platter. Nobody at the table was willing to cut the cake while the birthday guest was missing. Peter stood up from his chair and stood near the empty place and loudly began to sing, “Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you”…. “Stop!” his mother demanded. ‘Who are we singing to,” she asked Peter. With a huge smile and a voice of confidence Peter said, “Don’t worry mom, He’s here.” Then he proudly sang, “Happy Birthday dear Jesus, Happy Birthday to you.” Nana clapped for Peter’s singing and told him his birthday party for Jesus was just right. “See, I told you the special guest would be here,” Peter said.
“But wait,” his sister said. “What did you put in the boxes as birthday presents for Jesus?” Peter said he knew just what Jesus wanted for presents, and he carefully explained each gift he so lovingly wrapped.
“The first is my heart I made in my science class. I want to use it to love Jesus and people around me all the time, even when they are not very nice, cause God said that is most important. The second gift is my new pair of gloves so I can use my hands to give more help and nice things to other people. The third box was a little harder, but I finally figured it out. It is my voice. I plan to use it to tell others about how much Jesus loves them and wants to be their best friend.”
The family blew out the birthday candles, cut the cake and shared in Peter’s special celebration. “Happy Birthday to Jesus, indeed,” said Papaw as he helped with the dishes. And a little child shall lead them….
