Christmastime!

How I love Christmastime!! Christmas has always been a favorite time of year for me since I was a little girl.  The colors, the smells, the snowfall, the excitement, the reverence, the joy, the songs, the feelings, and I could go on and on about all of the things that make Christmas so special.  What is interesting to me is how one’s perspective changes as we get older but still at Christmas I can feel like a little child at times!!  Does that make sense to anyone else?

I think of those times when I was child and could not wait for nChristmas Eve!  We always had some crackers and a cheese ball along with Christmas cookies and other delectable items to eat.  Mom would make us some hot cider and the smells of Christmas were in our kitchen.  One of my favorite Christmastimes was when we had a very special present under the tree on Christmas morning.  Of course, we already knew about this present because it was our baby brother who had been born on December 22nd back in 1964.  I still remember the joy I felt in my heart that morning and how he was so much more important than any of the gifts that Santa would bring.  And the truth is that little brother is not so little any more but he still gives me so much joy just to think of him and his special family.  I haven’t seen them for a number of years now but they hold a very special place in my heart and always will because of that December morn so many years ago.

As I got older things began to change!!  My sister would not be with us on Christmas any longer because she was in Germany or in a different state with her own family.  I remember thinking how it just wasn’t the same any more of course I had no idea how things were really going to change later on in life.  My sister was missed more than she can ever know.  Yes, we had our little disagreements but I always loved being with her during the holidays.  Valerie knew how to bake and we would have fun together making new things.  Valerie knew how to make the holidays special for her family and continues to do so with her sons and their families.  She holds a very special place in my heart too!!

Mom is no longer here to celebrate Christmas with me.  She went home to our Father in Heaven back in 1990.  I miss her terribly around this time of year as I remember trimming the tree with her as we listened to the Oak Ridge Boys Christmas Albums.  She loved the bass singer because she would tell me to listen to how low he could go…LOL!  We would set up the Christmas tree, turn on the music and sing along as we decorated.  After decorations were done, we would start baking and making the fudge affectionately known as Harmony Candy by Valerie’s boys.  On Christmas Eve we would sit near the Christmas tree, read about Christ’s birth in Luke 2 in the bible and we would have our special treats as we sat around and enjoyed the warmth of the wood burning stove or fireplace.  How I miss her…Christmas hasn’t been the same without her!

Now I live next door to my Dad and stepmom, Lethia!  They are older now and putting up Christmas decorations is not easy for them any longer.  As my dad says, oh, those things aren’t necessary when you get to be our age.  I tease him and say oh bah humbug dad.  Sometimes we spend Christmas Eve together or we will have Christmas brunch together on Christmas Day.  Today, I am just so grateful that I still have my father to spend Christmas with and to enjoy!!

For the last two years, I have had the pleasure of having the Sister Missionaries visit my home on a regular basis during the holidays.  They have helped me decorate for Christmas and have brought joy and laughter to my home as they worked.  I treasure having them visit and leave a message about Christ and His everlasting gospel.  Those special visits bring peace and joy into my home.  How I love the Sister Missionaries and for the JOY that they share!!

Christmas is a joyful time of year for me!  I don’t need to have gifts any longer because the JOY in my Christmas is giving to those that I love and adore!  Children don’t set out cookies for Santa Claus in my home nor do they come squealing with excitement on Christmas morn; but the Spirit of Christmas is all around me as the Christmas music plays, the lights twinkle on my tree, as nut breads and fudge cook in the kitchen, and the Sisters arrive for dinner or just for a visit.  I LOVE CHRISTMAS and I LOVE MY SAVIOR who is reason for the celebration because He brings me that lasting JOY we all are seeking in life.