“That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown,” states Linus in “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” following his reading of the Gospel of Luke, as touching a holiday moment as one could wish for during this time of peace on earth, goodwill toward men. Which is why, for this, my third installment of Punching the Clock, I found myself searching for that elusive holiday spirit, a search which led me to New Berlin’s Chase Memorial Nursing Home on Christmas morning and my good friend Father Chuck (otherwise known as Reverend Charles G. Taylor), as kind, caring and gracious a man one could ever hope to meet.

And while I’ll be the first to admit this wasn’t necessarily “work,” so to speak, volunteering for a couple of hours at Chase Memorial was about as inspiring as you can imagine; chatting with the residents and staff; singing along as we ran through some heartfelt renditions of “Silent Night,” “Joy to the World” and “O Come, All Ye Faithful;” and celebrating Christmas with a group of people who may not have anyone to celebrate with other than Father Chuck, myself, and their fellow residents.

Needless to say, the holidays can be a lonely time – particularly for the elderly – and it should be noted that visitors are always welcome at Chase Memorial, so feel free to stop by.