The first Christmas away from the cold and beautiful white blanket I was homesick. Nothing seemed the same. Nothing felt right. I missed my family, I missed wrapping up in layers and traipsing through the snow. I missed caroling and snuggling around the fire trying to remember what my toes felt like.
I was engulfed with memories taking me back to times when I rushed out of bed, sliding my feet onto an ice cold floor and rushing downstairs to get warm.
I closed my eyes and remembered Grandma's kitchen warm from bread coming out of the oven. The Santa favors she made from apples, sitting at the head of each plate.
While shopping one day, sorting through a pile of wall plaques the words, Bloom Where God Plants You, stared back at me.
Hmmmm.....
I wish I could say that was the day I realized Christmas isn't about pine trees and snow, or palm trees and sand, but about the way I feel.
Earlier this week I heard myself say, I can't wait for Christmas this year, it's on Sunday. I felt joy in my heart, knowing we would start the day worshiping and celebrating Jesus birth. The reason for Christmas.
And spending the rest of the day surround with friends I love.
6 comments:
I love your post. Jesus is the reason and it doesn't really have much to do with the weather. I hope you have a blessed Christmas.
Glenda Parker
http://glendaparkerfictionwriter.blogspot.com
Sometimes I think Christmas greeting cards are to blame! You know ... the Currier-and-Ives-type snowy scenes, sleighing, skating, roaring fireplaces viewed through frosty windows... "a winter wonderland" message. No wonder nostalgia strikes, especially if you have your own memories of similar Christmases. I wonder how that all started, because the first Christmas didn't happen in that climate!
I love it when Christmas falls on a Sunday. I wish you the special joy of that holy worship experience, and may it last long into the coming days and year.
I'm bad. I love those Norman Rockwell christmas paintings. I love It's a Wonderful Life. I keep thinking how wonderful those times were, so simply and honest. Yet, I am very grateful for what I have, a terrific family, great friends, loyal animals. Maybe that's the greatest gift of Christmas, it reminds me why Christ loved us just the way we are, faults et al. How truly miraculous.
Merry Christmas, dear kind and wonderful Katt!
Thank you Glenda, my sweet friend. I pray yours is a blessed Christmas also.
Hugs
Katt
Carol,
The best "present" I have already received was from our teen Sunday school class. Last Sunday the Pastor announced in the bulletin there would be no Sunday school. I had already told the kids (before we saw the bulletin) that we would be having a special class next Sunday to celebrate Jesus birth. A birthday party for Jesus. One of our teens said, "can we still come to Sunday school".... I've been trying for so long to get them to WANT to come to class--and they are asking me "can we still come"!
I had tears of joy in my eyes.
YES, COME to CELEBRATE HIS BIRTH with us!
Love you Carol and Merry Christmas to all of you!
Joylene,
I love those Christmas reminders too, of the snow! They are beautiful and they remind me of Christmas past....happy times with my grandparents....but I also feel blessed today with the sunshine and sand, maybe a little like the first Christmas...
I love you my special, sweet, loyal friend.
Merry Christmas to you and your family. May you be blessed.....
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