My Christmas traditions over the last two years have changed in many strange ways. As I thought about it this New Year, I realized my Christmas season has changed dramatically over my lifetime.
As a child, I remember the cardboard fireplace we put up to hang our stockings on, the toy catalog coming in the mail and my siblings and I circling all of the things we wanted to receive from Santa. Presents and Santa were what made the season exciting. I grew up in the church so, of course, I knew Jesus was part of the reason for the season. We did the church Christmas programs and made gifts for our parents during Sunday school but that was to the side in my mind.
As a teenage, Santa fell to the background and the focus was enjoying the time off school. Getting to sleep in and have fun outside in the snow instead of going to classes was the best. College days were celebrated by being able to come home from Oklahoma and see family and friends. I was also able, during this part of my life, to be proud of being able to spend my own money to buy my mom and dad gifts.
After having my firstborn, a precious little boy, my view of Christmas changed forever. I remember holding my 4 month old in church when the song “Mary, Did You Know?” Was sung. My heart broke for that young mother and put so much of the Christmas story in perspective for me. I still can’t put into words what that moment did for my ability to understand the story of Christ in a personal way.
As our four children grew, Christmas again became about Santa and presents. Trying to make it a magical time for my kids was so much fun. Then as they all began to grow and go off to college, get married and move away I held on to the moments during the season that we could all be together again.
Now, with grandchildren and kids living in different areas, I have come back to the true meaning of Christmas. Christ has always been a part of my Christmas season but he has become the rock of my Christmas as I get older. Last year my husband was not doing well in recovering from Covid. We were not able to get together with family like my heart longs to do. The time alone gave me the time to appreciate what Christ’s coming has meant to me personally. I would never have all the blessings I have without him in my life. This year, schedules, family struggles and sickness made the season seem like it could be lonely again. However, taking the time to count my blessings because of Christ’s sacrifice of coming to this world has made this years Christmas another amazing time for me.
God is my rock and has been through all the seasons of my life. I am now able to revel in that thought more and more. Being thankful for the changes and embracing the life I have been given continues to make the Christmas season a blessing each year.