Christmas....what is your best memory? Or forget memories. Maybe it is just a lot of work to you. My Mom sometimes expressed that thought and a worry of a lack of money. Hustle, bustle, crowds, deadlines all threaded together with the Holy Birth of Jesus. Other worries include Santa Claus who makes parents anxious as he seems to promise far more than he can deliver. Between worry about the Elf on the Shelf and Santa watching their every move, the children have some anxiety of their own!
Most people can filter their memories of Christmas in order to conjure a happy scene. Here are some from my childhood: a big old farmhouse with a crackling fire, an enormous cedar tree which tipped over from the top, decorated with silver tinsel, shinny balls and raggedy garland pulled from a shelf. Smells of chili and tamales coming from the kitchen, children being shuffled into the dining room, listening for the sounds of sleigh bells and hoofs on the roof. Popcorn balls in big bowls, fire works out on the dirt driveway as family huddled near a fire. Anticipation of a visit from St. Nick, depending on how much bourbon was left in the flask under his seat on the sleigh, and laughter, gifts and hugs all around, family coming from far and wide for the family event known as Christmas at Ma's house!
The common thread through all of it was my great-grandmother, Ma Shurtleff! She made Christmas come together on Christmas Eve! Ma was an amazing lady! She was hard-working, tough as nails, talented, self-confident, kind and a heroine of my childhood! No one escaped her strong arms! And yes, she had her favorites: all of us! I totally mean that. She loved all her family passionately, and nothing came between her and her family. If a family member got into trouble or became sick or drifted away, she pulled us all together to keep us safe and rescued, prayed or grabbed them back to her. She forgave our faults, and overlooked a lot since we were a boisterous bunch of sinners!
But at Christmas time, it was all about Ma's house! Together! The gave us all Christmas memories with hugs, love and a cement bond that is not broken even today, over 70 years later. The ones of us who remember Christmas at Ma's house are getting fewer each year. I hope that in retelling the story, I can recreate the memory to share with my children and grandchildren. My hope for you is that you have a similar story to hand down.
But what if your story is not like mine? Perhaps your family story is not like the Walton's and seriously, neither was mine. Christmas brings painful memories. Please believe this: You have a great, loving family of your own as a child of the King. You can make wonderful memories at Christmas starting this year. And your Heavenly Father will never disappoint you or fail to care for you. His love came down at Christmas and will provide you with all the greatest memories on this earth and in the one to come!
"And don't lose heart...God still changes families" Max Lucado
"I will be your father." 2 Corinthians 6:18
Pray:
Dear Father, we thank You for the gift of family on this earth and the external family only You provide through the birth of the Baby Jesus so long ago. Amen
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