The Magic of Christmas JOY continued from yesterday……

Christmas Eve: The awaited night arrives, and the first thing on my list is to clean the house. I’m a neat freak and like everything in its place and a place for everything. I know the house will get dirty; yet, I clean it from top to bottom.

By the time I complete my task, I’m utterly exhausted and need a shower. While getting myself ready for the evening, I ask God for a beautiful celebration in our home, one free of stress and full of love. Later in the afternoon, when I attend a church service, the sound of Christmas music relaxes my soul. I enjoy the message of Christmas and hurry home to our family party.

At six o’clock, our youngest daughter and her family walk in the door. I set out the munchies and drinks, and we dig in. By seven, all the stragglers have arrived at the home-front. We sit down to Christmas dinner, spreading out in three rooms of the house. Even though we don’t sit at one table, we are still together. Christmas Eve is the one time each year the entire family comes collectively under one roof. This priceless time is a BIG deal. For some of us, it’s a time for catching up on a loved-one’s life.

After dinner, we gather in the family room. The grandchildren sit on the floor and wait to open presents. The oldest granddaughter has the voice of an angel and, per Grammy’s request, sings a Christmas song for us. The anticipation of opening presents is taking a toll on the children. But there’s one more thing ….

I ask, “Why do we have Christmas?”

“For presents!” They shout as if I’m next door.

With a grin I shake my head. “Christmas is not just about presents. We celebrate a birthday tonight, a very special one. Is it your birthday?” I point to one of the older children.

“No!” shout her twin brothers in unison.

“Then who has a birthday today?”

Two of the youngest grandchildren answer, “Baby Jesus.”

I smile and say, “That’s right. Let’s sing to baby Jesus.” I sing with the children. “Now you can open your presents!”

For many years, the children tore open their presents in frenzy and didn’t know who gave them what. The opened presents lay strewn on the floor, and no one had a clue whose was whose. So Grammy, in her infinite wisdom, makes them take turns this Christmas, which last all of two presents.

The beautiful wrapping paper, complete with ribbons and bows, lies scattered all over the floor of the family room. A smile crosses my face as I throw a couple of trash bags in the middle of the floor and say, “Dessert after you pick up the mess.” I have never seen so many children, from babies to 40ish, scramble to pick up the wrappings. One of my daughters follows me into the kitchen, and dessert is served.

After everybody devours a piece of each of the three desserts, the little ones are taken home so they can get to bed and listen for Santa’s boots on the roof. By eleven o’clock, the house is once again quiet, and Don and I smile in delight.

Christmas morning:  I snuggle in bed not wanting to remember or see the mess I left the night before. The aroma of coffee permeates my nose and instinct takes over my body. I spring from the bed, throw on my soft burgundy robe, and sprint down the stairs.

My eyes involuntarily close at the sight of my messy home. I smile at the memory of last night’s JOYful celebration and open my eyes. The house will take me days to clean, but I don’t mind. My family came together, loved on each other, and disappeared back into the folds of their homes. I am a content woman.

~~

A reflection of the real reason for the season:

The hustle and bustle of this time of the year can wear us down as we prepare for the Christmas celebration. Between cleaning, shopping, decorating, and wrapping, it’s easy to lose sight of the real reason for the season. While we race through our errands for the special day, we may run into difficult people, long lines, and a few traffic jams.

But, some of us are hurt, depressed, alone, or don’t have a dollar to our name. Our spirits may be broken. We may be the only member of our family who knows the real reason for the season. Or worse, we don’t understand the meaning of Christmas. JOY may seem far away and impossible to find.

There’s more to the season than the stress we put ourselves through. There’s more to Christmas than presents for one and all. By centering on the real reason for the season, peace and JOY will have a way of entering our hearts. We give gifts to others to show them we care. But what about the gifts we receive from our Heavenly Father?

In the town of Bethlehem that first Christmas so long ago, a tiny baby was born. Jesus was sent into the world by God to give us gifts—JOY, peace, truth, hope, love, and ultimately, eternal life.

 

 

Be blessed with the JOY of His presence, my friend.