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!!!!