Thursday, December 25, 2008

Thoughts on Christmas

When I was a young girl Christmas was a very sad time of year for me.  I often would go into my own little world of celebration.  My birthday comes a few days before and between the two I knew I had to make the best of my situation.  It was not uncommon for my birthday to fall during the classroom Christmas parties. (December 21st).  One year I chose not to eat my cupcake, but to save it.  Later that evening, in my bedroom, I gathered my ragged little dolly and played birthday party. I ate my crumbled cupcake alone.  To this day that was the best birthday party I ever had as a child.

I always knew that when I was a grown up with kids of my own I would do everything I knew how to make their birthdays  and Christmas very special.  So as I sit and ponder last evening, this morning and Christmas's past and I feel very blessed.  I am blessed that our awful pasts do not dictate an awful future.  I am blessed by the Christ child who reminds me of His humble beginnings and still changed the world.  I may not be able to change the world, but through the grace of our Lord Jesus I can change my future for the better and create memories that my children can look back on and say with a smile "remember when".

It's not about the amazing presents, or the dollars spent. It's about taking time (three times this year) to read over Luke 2, to act it out, and rehearse our lines.  To roll over in laughter at the silliness and song added. To watch the videos and laugh even more.  To sit around the table and share our family with others because we are blessed and want to share our blessings with others.  Its that feeling of being safe in each other's space because we share an understanding of the value and importance of our family and all those who join in.

I still go to a quiet place on my birthday. I pray and thank God for my life today, and thank Him for that small voice inside me that can remember where I came from. A crumbled cupcake in my pocket, no presents or even a tree.  I thank God for my imagination as a child to dream about  what Christmas could be like, and looking into the windows of my home today, thankful of that dream being a reality.

I have to give glory where glory is due and that is to God.  My life would be shambles, a mess, and a half and yet here I am in the quiet of my home embracing who Jesus is today.  Seek to know Him, and your life will be changed.  Merry Christmas!!!!


11 comments:

  1. This post was a beautiful reflection!

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  2. I'm glad you didn't allow your experiences to define your future, but chose to make a difference. Now your children know only the good. That's truly wonderful. Merry Christmas.


    P.S. Stop by when you get a chance for my book giveaway.

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  3. Grieving for that little girl...
    but Rejoicing with my beautiful sister-in-Christ... Merry Christmas!

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  4. My life too, would be a mess if I had not found Christ. In fact, even though I was saved in my University years, I lived a very worldly life for many years. Looking back now, I can clearly see that whilst it seemed that my life was spinning out of control, our loving Father had a plan and a purpose for my lives.

    I hope yo and your family had a great Christmas

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  5. There are so many that had backgrounds like yours. :-)
    Thanks for sharing it and I am happy that your life is a blessing now. God is so good - offering eternal life to us all.

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  6. So telling, friend. So real and raw; you had me with you in that room, eating a cupcake alongside. Rest assured, if I were closer, I'd join you on your special day. I am so glad that the pain of your past has been redeemed by God. And while I don't know your story, I feel the depth of your memories. I'm sorry. No child should have to walk that road.

    Thank God for his grace and for his willing love to shift our lives into a new and better direction. Thank God for your insight into seeing and mining the wealth of the children you've been given.

    You are weaving for them an eternal heritage that fills their memory books with fond remembrances and truth and a firm foundation to look back upon with a grateful heart.

    Keep to it, girl. Keep to it.

    peace and blessing be yours as we enter into the promises of a new year~elaine

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  7. once again your transparency has blessed my heart. merry Christmas. thanks for being real.

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  8. Glad to hear that Christmas has become everything you ever dreamed it would be thanks to the grace of God. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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  9. Christelle is right ~ much in common...so much in common...

    love you dearly
    Grace

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  10. Just wanted to let you know I was thinking of you. Blessings.

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