Christmas had a different meaning for me when I was young and didn't quite know of our Lord, but yet it still gave me a glimpse of the Joy that I would one day find. The love was there, especially the many years I spent Christmas day with my grandparents at their home in Ellensburg. It seemed so simple, yet at the same time grand and eventful. But more important than all was that their home was filled with love. The chronic smiles and stories, the wonderful smells of cinnamon rolls (or other baked goodies) fresh out of the oven made with Joy, the warmth of the fire, and the playing of games like checkers or Yahtzee well into the evening with welcome and loving hearts. The most special gifts were simple too .. and I remember them like it was yesterday. The small paper wrapped oranges in my stocking, popcorn in tins that we'd share for the next week together, or a pair of new gloves to keep me warm when I was up sledding at Craig's Hill. Once in a while I would receive a model airplane or car that I had requested. But I don't seem to remember it specifically. Funny how we tend to recall vividly those things given or made for us in love, but not so much those items on our request "list". I also remember a few things that I should have paid more attention to ... like the real reason we were celebrating Christmas. I look back on it now and see it in a different perspective. It makes more sense and today I can realize that the presence of God was there with us, I just had not yet brought him into my life with proper perspective. Today, I hope that I can help my daughter see what His love has in store for us.
We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19
Thursday, December 24, 2009
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