Packing Up Christmas
By Elizabeth M. Thompson
It is time to clean up after a fun and somewhat chaotic Christmas. As I pack up all the remnants of our celebration, I am reminded of Mary's reaction to the blessing of the first Christmas. After Jesus Christ was born and the shepherds came to see Him, and then left to spread the good news, Luke 2:19 tells us, "…Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."
There are a few things I will treasure up and ponder in my heart as well.
The Christ Child
As I pack my nativity set into its box for safe-keeping, I want to keep the birth of Christ tucked safely into my heart. I want to remember always that the God who created the universe and spoke all life into existence, humbled Himself and came into the world as a little baby. Not the warrior His people anticipated. He did not come with the armies of Heaven to set the world straight and create peace. No, He came gently, humbly and set a pattern for living and for dying for all of us to follow. He did bring peace, but not through the sword. His peace is inside our hearts, though the wars rage around us. I want to keep His peace in my daily life.
Unexpected Gifts
I have often wondered if a certain family member had any faith. We have walked down some dark and painful paths together and I have never heard him express a faith in God. I hoped. But I didn't know. This year, at one of our many family gatherings, this family member led us in prayer. Not just any prayer, but a heartfelt prayer to a very personal God. Wow! That was one of my unexpected gifts this Christmas. I will treasure it in my heart.
Forgotten Gifts
While organizing my closet—the secret place I always hide the Christmas gifts—I came across two presents that somehow eluded my midnight wrapping session on Christmas Eve. They sit on the shelf next to my summer shoes as a reminder to give all that I have to give. I don't want to hold anything back in this life. If I die with my song still inside me, it will be a great tragedy. This year, I want to give my gifts their full voice and leave nothing sitting on the shelf to collect dust.
Joyful Chaos
I'm a go-with-the-flow kind of girl. I have never thought of myself as a control freak. Sure, I have friends who are, but I have never placed myself in that group. I'm pretty easy going—to a point. I hit that point on December 21st this year.
Our plans to get together with the Thompson clan were thwarted when two of the six families could not meet as planned Christmas day at my brother-in-law's house. My husband and I really wanted everyone to be together, so we committed to an impromptu gathering at our house on the 21st. We had only a week to buy and prepare all the food, set up extra tables, find eight more chairs and wash and iron eight table cloths. Everything came together flawlessly except one small thing: my attitude! I was exhausted and I wanted everything to be perfect. I had a difficult time relaxing and enjoying the family. I expected perfection and got …well…
Children laughed and ran around inside my house like it was a playground, leaving trails of chocolate fingerprints and half-emptied glasses everywhere. The dogs were in the kitchen, licking feet and looking for scraps. Gift wrap flew around the living room like hurricane debris, threatening to ignite on contact with my candles.
My house was a mess. I was exhausted, but in the end I surrendered to the mayhem and enjoyed my company in spite of myself. I treasure my extended family and the memories we made. I look forward to doing it again next year, hopefully at my brother-in-law's house.
Lights
At Christmastime I line the driveway and sidewalks leading to my front door with 156 luminaries. I love the soft glow they give off and the warmth they add to the cold winter nights. They speak of hospitality saying, "This is the way to a warm home, good food and friendly conversation."
I could never get away with lighting them year-round, but I want to keep their hospitable message long after I have packed them into the attic. I want others to find comfort and blessing in my home. You won't see my luminaries again until the day after Thanksgiving next year, but I hope you will feel their essence if you visit my home.
Stockings
Christmas stockings are such amazing things. You hang them up empty and the next morning they are filled! I am packing away our stockings, but I want to become like my stocking. Every night I will empty myself of my concerns and ask God to fill me with His Spirit, His gifts, His presence. And in the morning, I will anticipate good things as the day unfolds. Just like opening my stocking on Christmas morning.
The Promise of Future Gifts
This year my wonderful husband bought me the gift I wanted most—a Kindle. He did not realize that Kindles are back-ordered or he might have made his decision a little sooner. As it is, I have several weeks of anticipation ahead of me. When Jesus came into my life, one of the gifts He promised me is eternal life with Him. Though I know someday I will experience the ultimate fulfillment of that promise, today I have the joy of anticipating it.
Gifts to Those in Need
Each year we adopt a family at Christmastime. Each year we provide Christmas dinner and a few modest gifts. This year, after all the excitement of Christmas recedes to memory and we settle back into our routines, I want to keep giving to this family. I want to help the mom learn English and mentor her. I want to encourage her as a parent and a wife. I want to share with her the Savior whose love compels us to reach out to her family. I hope she will visit my church and maybe make it her church home, too. I want to give more to her than a once-a-year handout. I want to invest in her family through friendship.
Now that Christmas 2008 is a memory and all the trimmings are packed away for another year, I have much to be grateful for, much to learn from and much to treasure away in my heart.
Gratefully,
Beth