This will be our first Christmas in our new house. My favorite wreath adorns the front door. The Christmas tree is decorated with several generations of ornaments.

A collection of nutcrackers tops the mantel and the stockings are hung below. My husband Marc has ordered some sort of organic turkeys to prepare in our new oven (all the Doyle men like to cook) and the extended family is coming for dinner on Christmas Day. We’ve got big plans for a happy holiday.

Our clever 3-year-old twins Archer and Alston have figured out the basics: Christmas means they get presents because it’s Jesus’ birthday. But they have questions about where Santa will park his sleigh, which of the two chimneys he will come down and if they will be able to pet the reindeer.

What I want for Christmas is for my family — and especially my children — to have a warm and fuzzy Christmas fantasy to remember always. The reality is that I haven’t actually bought any presents or planned any food beyond the turkey. Between work, school, volunteer activities, holiday events with the kids and getting settled in our new home, I’ve had plenty of great ideas about gifts but no time to actually go shopping.

I’m feeling a bit frantic, but I have a plan to transition from Christmas chaos to Christmas cheer! At 3 p.m. Saturday I am going to slow down and enjoy a little holiday music at First Presbyterian Church, courtesy of the incredible concert pianist David Troy Francis.

Born in Memphis, Mr. Francis now lives in Los Angeles and travels the world electrifying audiences with his gift of music. He is best known for his steadfast championing and performance of American music from Gershwin to other artists on the contemporary scene.

Those of you who were lucky enough to hear Mr. Francis’ Natchez concert for flood relief back in the spring know how fabulous he is. If you come on Saturday, you can’t help but be plunged headfirst into the holiday spirit.

But the bigger reason to make time for this special concert is to help abandoned, abused, and neglected children in our Natchez community. Admission to the David Francis Christmas Concert is free, but donations are encouraged for the benefit of Adams County Court Appointed Special Advocates.

Adams County CASA, which is part of a national network that operates in cities across the country, has become an important youth court program in our community. CASA recruits and trains local volunteers to represent and advocate for at-risk children in the courtroom and beyond. These abused, neglected or abandoned children are mostly the victims of domestic violence. Basically, these children have been turned over to the courts because they do not have a safe home or family situation. It is up to the court to find a safe harbor for the children.

That’s where the CASA volunteers come in. They are appointed by judges to follow a child through the legal system, staying with each child’s case until it is closed and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home.

For many at-risk children, their CASA volunteer is the one constant adult presence in their lives.

Believe it or not, last year alone, CASA volunteers worked more than 300 child abuse and neglect cases in our own community.

Believe it or not, last year alone, CASA volunteers worked more than 300 child abuse and neglect cases in our own community. Some of you may know that funding for Adams County CASA has been severely cut, threatening the continuation of this important program in our community.

So, sadly, not every child in Natchez and Adams County will have a warm and fuzzy Christmas season, but with your involvement through donations or by becoming a CASA volunteer, some of these children might experience a happy new beginning in 2012.

We at First Presbyterian Church invite you to come to the Christmas concert this Saturday. Experience the joy of Mr. Francis’ incredible piano music while helping CASA help our children!

 

Chesney Doyle is the elder over local missions at First Presbyterian Church, located at the corner of State and Pearl in downtown Natchez. For additional information regarding the concert or donations, call the church office at 601-442-2581. For information regarding Adams County CASA program or becoming a CASA volunteer, call CASA director Angela James at 601-304-7863.