A Christmas Story During the Depression

(written by Jennifir)

A Grice Christmas Story as told by Mary Pearl

My name is Mary Pearl. I want to share a story of one of the best Christmas' in my life. A Christmas the Lord stepped in and placed our poor family on another family's heart. It was the year 1930, during the Depression. My Daddy was a sharecropper in South Carolina. Farming was not a good livelihood that year, nothing grew. We lived in a tenant house on the land we farmed and as long as we farmed the land we could live there. We had a large family. Nine of us in all. There were four brothers: Wilbur, 8; Leroy, 5; George, 3; and Keisler, 2. And three sisters: Virginia, 14; Mary Pearl, 6; and Betty Ruth, newborn. Then there was Mamma Ola and Daddy Noah.

Fall came and went. Christmas was fast approaching. Daddy was sick and my Mamma had just given birth to Betty Ruth in November. The next thing we knew it was Christmas Eve and still there was no money. Mamma and Daddy were at a loss as to what to do for their children. Nothing had been done toward Christmas. All of the children were looking for Santa to come. Four of the smaller children hung their stalkings on the mantle above the fire in hopes Santa would stop at their house during the night. The three youngest brothers were so excited they decided to sleep in the same room with the stockings and waning fire. They were so anxious, they couldn't sleep. They covered their heads with their blankets. They kept peaking form underneath them to see if Santa had been there to fill them yet. He hadn't. They continued this game of peek a boo with Santa until they could stay awake no longer.We could hear Mamma humming a gospel song about Jesus. Little did we know that Daddy had left the house sick and walked the three miles to our neighbors home. He waited until we were all asleep. He went to a family, dearly loved friends of our family, Luther and Alice Black. He looked past his pride on behalf of the happiness of the children he so dearly loved. He turned to the Black family for help. Daddy went to them and told them he had no money for food for Christmas. Mr. and Mrs. Black loved our family so much they got out of bed and drove the four miles to the little town of Ridgespring, South Carolina. They went to the Lutheran church and spoke to the preacher there. The Blacks told him of the plight of the Grice family. The next morning was uneventful as the children awoke to find empty stockings hanging above the fireplace. Santa had not stopped by this small tenant house. The children shook off their disappointment and went outside to play their games. Games they knew how to play in the sand. As they played, the brothers noticed this buggy and white horse coming toward their house. They stopped their play standing amazed at what they saw. The gentleman leading the buggy had a natural, long white beard. The man pulled right into the yard and asked the little boys. "Is this where the Noah Grice family lives?"

They replied, "Yes, sir!"

The man with the natural, long white beard, buggy and white horse asked if he could speak to their Daddy. They ran and got Daddy. Daddy came out and the gentleman told him that Santa Claus had broken down in Ridgespring. Santa had asked him to deliver Christmas for him.

They unloaded the buggy and there was much to be thankful for. Santa had brought a ham, turkey, fruit of all kinds, nuts, candy and cookies. There was even a toy for each child, seven of them. That was one of the happiest Christmas' that I had. It turned out to be one of the best Christmas' ever. The family of Luther and Alice Black was a Christian family. We loved the Lord, but were unable to go to church very often. We had no decent clothes or shoes to attend church. In my mind, I will never forget that Christmas.My brothers were so humble during that time, so sweet and innocent. Their humbleness and hopeful hearts were rewarded. Santa did come to see them, just not when they expected him as God does with us on a daily basis. He will bless us. He will fill out stockings but not necessarily when we want Him to but in His time. I, at the time was six years old. And I am the one telling the story, Mary Pearl.

And now, as I tell this story to my granddaughter as Christmas 2008 approaches, I am a grown woman. I am now 85 years old. I was blessed with a good mother and father who raised seven children and Daddy was a sharecropper all his life.My Daddy died a poor man, yet rich in love. We had love in our family. We grew up loving one another and have always been close and helped each other out when we could. We have the bond of a very spiritual Christmas story where miracles happened.

Side note from Jennifir:As I write this story for Mary Pearl, a woman special in my heart. A woman who has been like a grandmother to me, I can't help but be touched. I can't help but be grateful and see what the true meaning of Christmas is. Or how humbling having no worldly possessions can be. It is a chance to grow closer in our relationship with God. To praise Him and thank Him for the incredible sacrifice He made for our sins through His son, Jesus Christ. It is a humbling lesson in hope. As I read through Mary Pearl's story, I realize that although I may not have much materially, I have been blessed with so much spiritually. I've been blessed by the love of my God. I have been blessed with a loving family in Christ. The Lord is good and amazing and I choose to take from Mary Pearl's story to be thankful for all that I have and not what I don't have. I am given hope during a dark time in my own life. A life where the farming of a lonely heart is not good. I take comfort in Psalm 126:5 Yet I know if I stop checking that stocking and focus on Jesus He will be on a buggy pulled by a white horse and come out of what seems like nowhere, but was planned all along! A buggy full of all I need as well as some the things I desire. He will bless me abundantly. Thank you, Mary Pearl for sharing a story that after so many years can touch so many hearts. You are one amazing woman. I thank God for placing you in my life at the most perfect time.

Two verses that come to mind through this story are Psalm 27:4 and John 10: