CHRISTmas

In recent years, Christmas has became just another chore to me. Trimming the tree, putting up and taking down the decorations, cooking, shopping, eating too much and spending too much; these things became just another long to-do list on top of the long list I already had. I dreaded it all, complained the whole month long, breathed a sigh of relief when it was all over. Last year everything changed.

Last December we lost our Lydia, and the world stood still.

All the busyness and hurry and stress of the season just fell away. We knew: Christmas would never be the same again.

This Christmas, I gave myself a gift: the permission to redefine Christmas in my life; to make it what it was meant to be. I had lost the joy, the quietness, the meditative spirit of the season. I had lost the Christ in Christmas. Lydia now lives with Jesus; what better time to remember in my heart why we celebrate.

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.