Christmas Thoughts
Christmas comes and goes; we celebrate the birth of our Lord, children look forward to gifts, and we all look forward to being with family, friends, or a quiet time at home.
We were packing up just a few days ago for our drive to Oklahoma to see our daughter, Jessica, and her family. Let me tell you, ladies, when you pack for Christmas with food to share for eight days, gifts for three grandchildren and two more adults – then you throw in the option of taking your dog – it’s a truckload! We got packed, served for part of Christmas Eve and headed south. Brian and I enjoyed a nice road-trip together. We got time to share, to be quiet, listen to audio books, music and just relax. Did I mention the snacks? Well if I didn’t, we had plenty of them! We arrived Christmas Eve about 10 pm. Our final turn onto their street revealed their home all decorated with sweet outdoor lights still on, waiting for us to arrive. Jess and Caleb greeted us warmly. They came out of the house to hug us and help us carry the myriad of items inside. We chatted for a while and then snuggled in for a long winter’s nap. We got up the next morning and walked out to the living room where their Christmas tree was a glow with the warmth of each light and ornaments happily decorating each branch. There was history in each ornament as they were gathered on the tree. They glistened and danced inviting us into its beauty. Presents were placed neatly on the floor around the fireplace as sweet little ones bounced joyfully into the room. Declan (4) in his red and black Santa PJ’s, Rowan (3) in her Disney princess gown that fell to the floor in red with trim that sparkled and had a small line of “fur” just at the waist. Baby Aelynn (3 mos) in her cute cuddly sleeper ... everyone was ready. It was a room brimmed with expectation, joy, delight, anticipation and vibrant with love. Packages were opened, wrappings tucked away, bags saved for next time and family together in celebration of our King. We loved every second.
There is but one celebration at Christmas we can take into the new year. One we can immerse our entire being in, body, heart, and mind. It is the birth of our Savior. We know it, we celebrated it each in our own way, with our own traditions. I wondered as I looked at all we create with lighting, decoration, warmth, and love … how much more God has for us. Can you fathom the room He has prepared for you? We can only imagine it – maybe. There are ways our Lord lights up space now that we cannot duplicate. He has a love for us that is immense and probably beyond anything we think we understand. I'm praying you're blessed this year by all you're able to receive through Him who created all things. He loves us, ladies … so much.
- Traci Hollingsworth