That Christmas in the Swamp

Two adventurous brothers, eight and eleven years old, find themselves in an unexpected Christmastime adventure at night in the mysterious Hal’s Lake Swamp. Raised with a love for the outdoors and hunting, the boys are seasoned beyond their years, but nothing could prepare them for the eerie occurrences and intriguing characters they encounter in the swamp’s depths. Night falls and they realize…they’re lost! This story weaves a tapestry of spooky, moonlit encounters, and heartwarming moments, all set against the backdrop of a Southern wilderness. Perfect for those who enjoy a blend of suspense, nature, and the magic of childhood adventure, this tale promises to keep readers on the edge of their seats, wondering what lies beyond the next turn in the swamp.

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

A Christmas Carol

Is it possible for a miserly old man to transform into the embodiment of kindness and joy? Watch and listen as Andy Andrews unwraps the deeper meaning behind Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Is it just a festive ghost story, or does it hold timeless lessons about human nature, compassion, and redemption? You’ve heard the tale before—but not like this. Watch now and discover the true spirit of Scrooge’s journey… In Other Words!

The Day Before the Night Before Christmas

Michael stood on a stone platform and crossed his arms.  The word “busy” did not adequately reflect the level of activity playing out before him.  “Controlled chaos” was a better description. 

Michael and his executive staff were in charge of VIP invitations and he was determined that none be overlooked.  The task was enormous, the timing critical.  Only true VIP’s were to be included.  Curiously, it had been decided that no part of the actual invitation would be written down or recorded in any way.  Rather, the invitations would be delivered personally, in different languages and dialects, and issued simultaneously around the world. 

For Michael, it had already been a logistical nightmare.  Two problems had arisen almost immediately.  First, his subordinates argued over who was to be invited.  Michael solved this challenge by emphatically stating that all people of status were to be included.  We have the resources, he reasoned, and this will only happen once.  Not a single corner will be cut.

The second problem was the wording of the invitation.  Was it to be an explanation?  Perhaps a bit of humor should be included?  Or maybe the invitation needs to be in the form of an announcement?  Finally, Michael arranged a meeting of those who were to actually deliver the message and urged them to present their ideas.

Meanwhile, Gabriel was in charge of the event’s physical make up—otherwise known as “sound and lights”.  He too, was feeling the pressure of constructing a presentation memorable enough to live up to the immeasurable significance of the evening.  For a moment, he sat back and attempted to grasp the magnitude—no, he thought, the magnificence—of what would occur in the wee hours of this very night. 

For a long, long time Gabriel had been aware that this event would occur “one day” but he and Michael and all the others had waited so long that it almost seemed impossible that tonight was the night.

And yet, the time had come.  Tonight was the night.  In Bethlehem, sometime after mid-evening, God’s Son would be born.

Michael and Gabriel had been taken aback by God’s choice of earthly parents for the boy.  And they weren’t the only angels who had expected a “bit more” from the child’s lineage than a simple carpenter and his wife.  The whole virgin birth thing had also raised a few eyebrows.  None of Archangel staff gossiped, of course, but to an angel, they all had to deal with Mary and Joseph’s family members who, it seemed, had nothing else to do but gossip. 

In any case, Gabriel was certain that between Michael’s work and his own, God’s choice of earthly parents would be the only unexceptional part of this event.  Gabriel had worked his staff ceaselessly for months.  One group timed asteroid belts, another numbered planets, comets, and moons.  

Gabriel personally chaired the committee on celestial bodies.  Together, they had arranged for a few million stars to burn brightly in the sky during the hours preceding the actual event.  Only Gabriel, however—and Michael, of course, in whom he had confided—knew that at the moment of the baby’s birth, the movement and sound of several billion shooting stars would combine to create a spectacle worthy of the arrival of Jesus.

As a theme for this greatest extravaganza of all time, Gabriel had chosen “The Heavens”.  It was an apt name, for truly, he had arranged an appearance by every galaxy in the universe.  It would all be quite beyond belief, an experience never to be forgotten.

But then, just when everything was almost set and ready to go, God walked in, changed the plans, and ruined everything.  Oh, He was gracious, of course, and certainly appreciative of all their hard work.   All the preparations they had made, however, were for naught.

“We are not to invite VIPs?” Michael asked.  “I am not questioning you, sir.  I only want to be certain I understand Your wishes correctly.”

“The point, Michael,” God said.  “is that I am not sending my Son for the VIPs.  Jesus is coming to earth for everyone.”

“But Sir,” Michael said respectfully, “it seems odd that no one should witness the babe’s arrival.  Might I have a delegation of VIPs invited?  Perhaps a hundred or so?”

God smiled patiently.  “I agree that there should be witnesses,” He remarked, “but on the ‘No VIPs” point, I remain adamant.”  God paused a moment, then said, “There will be shepherds nearby.  They’ll be working, so wait to invite them until My Son is born.”

Michael took an excited breath before God interrupted, saying, “And invite only a few.”

“Less than a hundred?” Michael asked cautiously.

“Less than ten,” God replied.

Before He could go any farther, Gabriel spoke up.  “Sir, I am assuming You also want to greatly reduce the size and scope of our light show?” 

God smiled and nodded.

“We can cut back on moons, comets, asteroids…” Gabriel was thinking out loud.  “Even the stars might be reduced to a more manageable few hundred thousand…”

“Let’s go with one,” God said.

“All right,” the Archangel replied, “one hundred thousand will still be a great number considering the darkness of the night and—“

“Gabriel?” God said.

“Yes, Sir?”

“I meant one star.  One.  Make it a big one.  And bright, of course, but please…just hang one.  I only have one Son.  So one star will be perfect.” 

As Michael and Gabriel turned to go and carry out God’s instructions, He spoke again.  “One last thing,” He said.  “I know how hard everyone has worked and how excited everyone is…therefore, I do want you there.  And by you, I mean everyone.  Every angel in Heaven is invited.

“Choose who you will among you as the one to invite the shepherds.  Tell the shepherds not to be afraid and that you bring them wonderful news.  Make sure to mention that this news is for everyone…it is for all people.  Tell them that my Son is born for them this day in the City of David and that they will find Him in common circumstances, wrapped in cloth, surrounded by animals, lying in a manger.

“Then…” God paused and lifted His eyebrows.  “Then…I want you to sing.  All of you.  And sing loudly.  It should be a multitude of the heavenly host!  Sing glory to the Highest and declare peace for the shepherds and all the people of the earth. 

“For my Son—their Savior—is born!”  

Socks for Christmas

This touching, funny, heartwarming and true story will become an instant Christmas classic. In the late sixties, New York Times bestselling author Andy Andrews thought he was having a very good Christmas. He got the Incredible Edible Machine and the G.I. Joe he asked for. He even got a white belt. He also got socks from his Aunt Ruth — unarguably a very lousy Christmas gift. How could he know that those lousy socks would change Christmas and him forever.

Showing Off: Away In the Manger

Our Captains are humble people, but… Some of them are SO talented that from time to time, the Harbourmaster will persuade them to “show off” just for you. Watch and listen as Gordon Mote displays a skill that will have you laughing and shaking your head in astonishment!

Be True or BS?

Christmas Traditions

Mabel the Christmas Dog

Christmas was a little over a week away, but Mabel wasn’t going to make it to the end of the week. It’s never a good time to lose your pet, but during the holiday season, it’s gut-wrenchingly horrible. Especially when it’s the pet who helped raise your children. Mabel slept beneath my boy’s baby beds, listened while they learned to read, and ran along beside them through the swamps and gullies of Mobile Bay on wild adventures.

The pointy eared yellow mutt usually curled up beneath the Christmas tree each year and used it as her personal napping area. She always seemed to love Christmas. This year, she could barely walk across the room, much less find the twinkling tree. Since Mabel wasn’t eating or drinking and couldn’t walk, our vet said to bring her in on Tuesday morning for what would be a final goodbye.

We decided to wait and tell the boys after the fact, when they returned home from school on Tuesday afternoon, but there was one more problem. Joe, our youngest son, had ridden his bicycle downtown the week before, and using his own money, bought dog treats from the pet store. He wrapped the gift and placed it beneath the tree. We couldn’t let him come home to find his dog gone with the treats unopened, so on Monday night, we suggested, “You know, sometimes it’s fun to unwrap a present early. Since Mabel doesn’t feel well, let’s let her open her gift now.”

Joe knelt in front of his dog. Mabel sniffed the gift as her 10 year old boy helped her open the box. Shaking, Mabel looked at us with cloudy eyes, and at one point even stumbled and fell. My husband and I hid our tears. Then, almost out of politeness, Mabel took a bite of the treat. She nibbled it, then ate the other.

We all went to bed, and I think I cried most of the night, knowing what I would have to face the next morning. When the alarm sounded, I was already awake, praying, “God, why do our hearts have to be broken at Christmastime?”

And then, as I prepared breakfast, Mabel walked in and started slurping water out of her bowl, then came over and touched her nose to my leg. She seemed steady, so I put some food in her dish, and she began to eat. “Hey look! Mabel is eating!” the boys yelled as they came scampering into the room. Sure enough, Mabel was still an old, sick dog, but she had a new stability and clarity in her eyes.

We got the boys off to school and called the Veterinarian. “You aren’t going to believe this, but Mabel is a new dog this morning.”

“Did anything happen to her?” he asked.

“Well, Joe gave her a Christmas present last night.”

“I believe in Christmas miracles.” he said.

We were able to celebrate one last Christmas with Mabel, and she was almost her old self, snuggling beneath the tree once more, and wagging her tail as we opened gifts. But by the next Spring, she was gone. We’ll never know what gave her that last bit of determination to keep going, but of course, we believe that when you are truly loved at Christmas, miracles can happen.

Ducking the Game Warden

It’s the week before Christmas, and when the guys from Sawyerton Springs hit the woods for their traditional duck hunt, they manage to surprise their friend (and local game warden) with a secret tradition!