This holiday season so far is like every other; hurry, rush, don’t slow down! As I left work last night I was once again in a hurry. We needed all that wonderful bulk stuff from SAM’s; toilet paper, paper towels, laundry detergent, you all know the list! It’s so hard to squeeze anything in during Christmas, even the routine trips for groceries! It, of course, was dark when I stepped out of the satellite clinic in Alderson but the temp was perfect @ 50 degrees and the Christmas lights in that little town were bright, colorful and “twinkly” yeah I know it isn’t a word but now you understand. I wanted to stop and put all my bags down so I could get a picture to share with Michael but I thought, NO! It will take too much time. I barely turned abound to actually enjoy the view myself. About halfway home I could’e kicked myself for not slowing down. I tried to describe it to Michael but you know what they say, A picture is worth a 1000 words. I didn’t have a thousand words! I couldn't do it justice-shiny and twinkly! By the time we finished grocery shopping, got home and put them away, it was close to midnight. All I wanted to do was sit on the couch by the fire with Michael and share my day. So at 11:45p I laid ;my head on his shoulder on the couch by the fire. For about 15 minutes we slowed down, I thought of all that God does for me on a daily basis; sometimes it is overwhelming. This morning, I have tried to set my alarm just a little but earlier to get a headstart. On my way to work I made the curve right before you get to my church-Meadow Grove. I have looked at the church so many times but today as I gazed at the steeple high in the fog and the frosty mountains behind majestically, standing high; I thought of the people inside the church. I thought of their friendships down through the years. Some new relationships some old. I thought of the love and loss that has went through our church. So many people so many years. So much love so much loss. Each one with their own tales, young and old. I want my kids to make memories that one day they will share with their children. One of my favorite is the Christmas play there we put on. Always a manger scene with Mary and Joseph, in never changed. But when you think about it, did it change? For over 2000 years that story has been the same.
Luke 2:10-11 (NIV)
10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
I can’t imagine the memories she(Mary) had of that day the angel appeared. I know I have my own memories of each one of my children, none like Mary; there were no angels that appeared, but each of them were gifts from God. I prayed and so did Danny, as I am sure did their grandparents. They were not easy pregnancies but in my experience, the best things in life are sometimes hard to come by. And now as an expectant grandmother, I know everything she feels; just as I am sure Mary felt but so much more. God is so good to his children. He wants them to experience everything He has to offer. But sometimes that means there will be growth and with growth that may mean pain. But on the other side of that pain is so much beauty; Beauty for Ashes. He promises….He delivers if we give him time.
Love came down to earth over 2000 years ago and it still comes daily…if we choose to see. Love comes in the face of a new born baby, in the face of a mother and father as they hold their child. The grandmother that has prayed many prayers for her grandchildren. Love is there. The frail and elderly grandfather as he has shared his knowledge, wisdom and yes, love in everything he has passed on to that child….All with love. There is love in the face of a beggar that is cold and alone that dreams of christmas pasts.
1 John 4:8 (NIV)
8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
John 15:12(NIV)
12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
If you aren’t in the mood or perhaps can’t afford to give the gift you had picked out to give to someone…then choose to give the gift of love. It won’t cost you anything and it is the gift that keeps on giving. Oh and chances are you will get it back, maybe when you least expect it and always when you need it the most. Because thats how God works. Nothing mysterious about it! So when you give a little love this Chirstmas, just know you are sharing God, not Christmas spirit, just Jesus and the love he has for us!
Merry Christmas Ya’ll