A ROCK-SOLID CHRISTMAS

As younger teens, my kids would spend Christmas afternoon having a Christmas party with their cousins. That left my husband Terry and me for the rest of the day on our own. Because of that we began a tradition that has lasted up until last Christmas. We’d go eat Chinese out at the local buffet (they’re usually the only ones open Christmas Day). It became something we looked forward to and a part of our traditional celebration.

Once the cousins grew up and my oldest two were married, my youngest son would join us. Then Terry died, so it was just Chris and me, and then a widowed friend became part of the tradition. The first time I met Chris’ girlfriend was when she joined us one Christmas Day for Chinese.

Then, covid struck, and everything was closed. I missed our Chinese dinner together. And this year will again be different as we’ll bring take-out home and eat together here.

I suspect that last year I wasn’t the only one who had their Christmas plans change. Traditions adjust as our children grow up, our finances come and go (Terry always said we lived in either feast or famine), and life goes on. Yet we somehow continue to hold on to past times when Christmas was happy or full or not lonely or had children involved, and we understandably want to recreate those times.

I think the only Rock-solid tradition at Christmas is Jesus’ birth. When I’m with Jesus over Christmas I’m both humbly appreciative of what he did for us and laughing with him over what he thinks of all the replicas of himself. However, it’s a reminder to hold things loosely, and let each Christmas have its own flavor. Keep your eyes out for ideas on how to expand your Christmas into something fresh and new.

We have no promises and no guarantees for tomorrow, but we can make the best of whatever we do have. We can choose life and joy. And if that’s a struggle, the best way to get it is to find a way to give of yourself. And that doesn’t have to take money.

Best of all, spend time with Jesus, making sure you have time to laugh and enjoy each other. Remember, he’s not a baby anymore, and he’s Jesus now, wanting to be with you.

I’m not typically one to keep my writing limited to what time of the year it is (unless it’s New Years, then I’ve got all kinds of things to say!). I was surprised to realize, as I was looking back over articles I’ve written, to see that I’d written a Christmas one for my last year with Terry (he died the following August). It was interesting to reread it in that light. But the ending is one I need to remember, and it was true even with Terry’s death. I’ll end with it, besides wishing you a wonderful Christmas (no matter what it looks like).

My challenge to you this year is to let go and allow this Christmas to be what it’s meant to be THIS year, not last year or what it might be next year. Live it joyfully every moment, and then move on. Because there’s no sadness over it being over, the best is yet to come! A new year full of potential, full of Jesus, full of life.

Go out and live it!