Looking back over this year I seem to have lived in a kind of fog for most of it, doing whatever was necessary in fits and starts. A little lonely, in spite of having people around most of the time. How do you learn to be a single again after more than fifty years? Like most things, put one foot in front of the other, then do it again.
Christmas has always been one of my favorite times of the year. I love the carols which remind us of the reason for the season, decorating the tree. Cleaning and straightening the house, not so much! The last three Christmas seasons were hard with my husband bedridden from a stroke and in a nursing home under hospice care the last one.
But those three years brought blessings, too. A special joy was great grandson Tyler, whose smiling little face and burbling laugh brighten the darkest day. I pray that as he grows up, Tyler will look to the Jesus whose birth we celebrate for guidance. And that we, his parents, grandparents and great grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins will be examples of those who also look for that guidance in our lives.
Much as we love Christmas, Jesus did not suffer arrested development and remain a babe in Bethlehem. He grew up and accepted the suffering, death and separation from God that His human body would have to endure to save those who believe in Him from eternal death. And because the Holy Spirit raised Him from that death, we can now celebrate His birth and His life and the life we ourselves live and will live after our last breath on earth. My Christmas may be a little more subdued this year, but celebrate I shall. Because I believe our loved ones in Heaven celebrate with us when we remember the
Reason for the Season, Jesus!
Christmas has always been one of my favorite times of the year. I love the carols which remind us of the reason for the season, decorating the tree. Cleaning and straightening the house, not so much! The last three Christmas seasons were hard with my husband bedridden from a stroke and in a nursing home under hospice care the last one.
But those three years brought blessings, too. A special joy was great grandson Tyler, whose smiling little face and burbling laugh brighten the darkest day. I pray that as he grows up, Tyler will look to the Jesus whose birth we celebrate for guidance. And that we, his parents, grandparents and great grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins will be examples of those who also look for that guidance in our lives.
Much as we love Christmas, Jesus did not suffer arrested development and remain a babe in Bethlehem. He grew up and accepted the suffering, death and separation from God that His human body would have to endure to save those who believe in Him from eternal death. And because the Holy Spirit raised Him from that death, we can now celebrate His birth and His life and the life we ourselves live and will live after our last breath on earth. My Christmas may be a little more subdued this year, but celebrate I shall. Because I believe our loved ones in Heaven celebrate with us when we remember the
Reason for the Season, Jesus!
4 comments:
Thanks for sharing these beautiful thoughts. All through this lonely year you most definitely have not been alone... thoughts and prayers more than you know and God's grace have gotten you through and will keep lifting you up every day. I love you, sis!
I know, Sis. Thanks. I keep thinking of Aunt Winnell. Seventy years with Uncle Curt! Now that is a lifetime, she will surely need our prayers.
I have just started reading your posts and enjoy them. Thanks for your mention of Mom & Dad and of course for the prayers.
I have just started reading your posts and enjoy them. Thanks for your mention of Mom & Dad and of course for the prayers.
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