Well, Christmas is certainly different from when I was younger or when our son Jon was younger. But things change and you have to take the bad with the good. Although it certainly was not as exciting as in the past, it definitely has had it’s high points as well as low.
The best part of Christmas for years has actually occurred on Christmas Eve. The candlelight services at church are what I most look forward to each year. The beauty of the sanctuary by candlelight and “O’ Holy Night” sung by our friend Scott Brooks is one of my favorite things!
Another high point is we no longer feel compelled to get up at the crack of dawn. We used to get home from church about 1am only to get up again in about 4 or 5 hours. Now that Jon is an adult we sleep in, especially on the years Tim’s family does not gather at our house. Since Christmas fell on Sunday this year we did have to get up for church but the only service was at 10am so it wasn’t quite so early! The service was lovely and simple, lots of music and children. During the blessing of the toys we were reminded that God wants us to enjoy life and experience it to the fullest, a message I wish everyone would remember!
Afterwards I sent a text to all my friends I have a phone number for, wishing each one a Merry Christmas. Technology is wonderful- I can send personal good wishes without actually encroaching on anyone’s time with their families.
After church we hurried home for about 45 minutes of gift exchanging and seeing what Santa brought before heading to Tim’s sister’s house. The meal was delicious and everything was going along swimmingly when Jon got a text asking for anyone who could go to the radio station, the system had crashed. Jon agreed to go in for a couple of hours. He told me that someone had to be a responsible adult and I was proud to see him step up and be that adult. We quickly said our goodbye’s so we could swing by the nursing home where Tim’s mom lives. On Friday we had promised her that Jon would come with us to see her on Christmas and although I know she does not know which day is Christmas, nor would she remember our promise, I for one do not break promises.
As expected she was confused about why we were there or what day it was. I think maybe she thought Tim was her husband rather than her son. When Tim said I was his wife she gave me quite the look! But all in all it was an OK visit and we headed home so Jon could change clothes and head to work.
I called my parents to wish them Merry Christmas even though they do not celebrate the holiday. They do not decorate or exchange gifts, and even though we had an odd holiday we did celebrate Christmas when I was growing up. As soon as I was gone they pretty much dropped it though. They do not believe in God or any of the rest of it so it was a meaningless holiday to them anyway. As expected, they were just having another day of complaining and moaning and groaning so as quickly as possible I got off of the phone with them. I often wonder how in the world I am related to them! If I didn’t look like them I would think I was adopted and even then I often wish I was!
So now Tim is asleep in his chair, Jon is at work and I am rather at lose ends. Hopefully Jon will get home in time and with enough energy for us to go to a movie tonight but if not I can build a fire and we can watch a movie at home together. It has certainly not been a storybook Christmas and it is not the busy, exciting Christmases of the past but I also know there are many people who had much worse Christmases. I am grateful for my little family and the time we spent together. I am grateful for any day I wake up healthy and have my guys around. I am especially thankful that God sent his Son into this weird world for all of us. So to all of you out there- Merry Christmas!!!
