“Glory to God in the highest, and peace to all people."
~ Luke 2:4
Christmas – a time of faith, hope,
love and great memories. As I sat
quietly listening to our Pastor’s sermon, I closed my eyes and felt my eyes
tear up allowing a flood of childhood, Christmas memories to wash over me. Crying is sometimes how I understand myself
best.
We were certainly not a wealthy family. Yet, we were so rich in all life’s important
things.
I remembered getting up on a bitingly cold, December morning
and pulling on my oversized winter coat before heading outside with my Dad and
brother to chop down a Christmas tree. We usually picked a tree whose limbs could
barely support the ornaments and lights when we decorated it.
Mom was in charge of setting up the ceramic nativity scene
she’d hand crafted, with such respect and tenderness. She’d always kiss the baby Jesus before
setting it aside until Christmas Eve.
Christmas Eve dinner featured pastrami on rye with oyster
(or potato) soup and freshly baked bread. Dad placed a note for Santa on our front door
so that he wouldn’t skip our empty house while we were at midnight Mass.
The service was a collection of singing, readings (in
Latin), and a dual message: to praise God for sending His Son to earth, and to
emphasize our responsibility to love one another. I tried staying awake for the whole mass, but
often fell asleep on Mom’s lap.
I remembered the eager anticipation of waiting to open my
presents on Christmas morning. They were
few in number and never very expensive, but they always brought great joy to my
heart. I played with them for months and
sometimes years to come.
Most of all, though, I remembered the unwavering love in
that house. It made every day feel like
Christmas. It was there in our hugs and
smiles, laughter and tears, arguments and agreements, triumphs and
tragedies. Even when we moved from
Webster Street, love followed us. It
gave me a hint of the love that God has for us all. With it we felt like the
wealthiest family on earth.
Christmas season is a special time of year. It’s a time to connect with each member of
your family, and create memories and traditions that your family and kids will
remember when they’re older. Creating memories as a family also gives your children
a secure foundation and understanding of their identity in the family and the
importance of Christ’s birth.
May your life be full of loving memories at this Christmas
and always. And may you create new ones
every single day. Have a Blessed
Christmas.
“This Christmas may you have … hot drinks by
the fire, laughter to cheer you, and those you love near you, and all that your
heart may desire.” Amen ~ Old Irish
Prayer
