On the first Christmas, long ago, Jesus came to earth. The angels came and sang the joyful news to lowly shepherds who hastened to Bethlehem to see the baby lying in a manger. (Luke 2:8-16 & 20). It’s hard for me to imagine what that night must have been like — an amazing announcement by an angel followed by a choir of angels. It must have been so surreal, but still so real. They were blessed when they responded to God’s prompting and returned from Bethlehem “glorifying and praising God”. Awesome things happen when we have the courage to go where God leads and then see His blessings when we look in the rear view mirror.
The first Christmas celebrations that I remember where spent with my parents and siblings — and my church family. The evening our family opened our gifts also included a little program my siblings and I put on for our parents — a few Christmas carols and some readings. At church, the Sunday school program was attended by most members of the church — a special event separate from the Christmas service. My parents immigrated from the Netherlands two years before I was born, so our church family was a precious part of our lives. Our little “family program” and the Sunday school program helped us focus on the reason for the season. Our gifts were “things”, time and talents. It’s a blessing to have this foundation that helps me focus through the busyness and noise.
When my children were little, we always had a dinner for “just us” as well as time spent with extended family. We had lots of turkey some years. The year after the end of my marriage, my children and I had a dinner for three. Keeping that tradition was one of the easiest parts of that Christmas–everything else felt very wrong and broken. For several years after, Christmas remained a difficult time for our family — but we were still blessed by those dinners. Some people talk about the importance of creating new traditions after changes. For us, maintaining an old tradition was meaningful.
This year marks a different challenge. Busyness with many things and several events happening beyond my control. I’m needed to walk step-by-step, making choices about how to use my time and who to spend time with. At first I felt disappointed and overwhelmed. But, as time goes on, I realize that I am using my time and talents for others. If I am still and let God be God over my days, I am more aware of the reason for the season. Awesome things happen when I have the courage to go where God leads and then see His blessings when I look in the rear view mirror. May I go forward, “glorifying and praising God”.
May you and yours be richly blessed at Christmas and all through 2018.
P.S. Christmas dinner at our home was delicious again this year.
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