It seems like every year around this time, I begin to look for that one thing—that spark of…something—that will make it really Christmas. Yes, I know in my heart what the real meaning of Christmas is. I know that it’s a celebration of the birth of my Lord and Savior. I’ll never forget that, and I’ll never stop wanting that one thing to be the true and only “reason for the season.”
But there’s something else, some elusive moment, I always seem to be looking for, even before I quite realize I’m searching. Searching for that one thing that will flip a switch and declare, “Yes! This is the moment! Now it’s really Christmas!”
It’s December 20 as I write this and I’ve already had several of those moments this year. The first one came when I decided to go ahead and put the Christmas tree up. Our kids are coming home for Christmas (cue the Hallelujah Chorus!), and although our house isn’t tiny, it’s still a challenge to squeeze fourteen people in it for almost a week. But I could tell my husband thought the tree should not be a place we “economized.” So up it went, tucked away in a corner where we can barricade it off from our littlest, almost-walking grandson. And when the star went up and the lights twinkled on, there it was: that whisper of “Now it’s really Christmas!”
And then my husband thought we should take treats to all our neighbors again this year—a small-town tradition that we brought to the city with us. I thought maybe it was one thing we could skip this year, since things were starting to get busy. But Ken offered to help me make scones. And when my husband offers to help in the kitchen, I do not decline! We spent a fun morning making cinnamon and berry scones, icing them, and putting them on plates. That was a touch of Christmas in itself (because of course we had to sample the wares!) But that evening, with the streetlights warming our neighborhood in their soft glow, and a foggy mist settling over the rooftops, we delivered plates of fresh scones, one by one. Each was accepted with such genuine gratitude. And such surprise. Apparently this isn’t done much in the city. We left each doorstep with Ken’s “God bless you!” And as we came back to our house it struck me: “Now it’s really Christmas!”
Having grown up in the heart of the nation on a Kansas farm, I didn’t usually have to merely dream about a white Christmas. We usually got one. But it seems like white Christmases have been fewer and farther between in recent years. Plus, with loved ones traveling to be together over the holidays, snow isn’t always a good thing. But one recent morning I woke up to this beautiful sight, and instantly my heart swelled and I thought, “Now it’s really Christmas!”
Of course, when our kids walk through the door tomorrow and all fourteen of us are sleeping under one roof, that’s when it will REALLY be Christmas. Here’s the thing: every one of these “really” moments happen because of that baby in the manger. The Creator of the universe made us in His image, so we are creative. His intent was that we would love our neighbors. Even the weather bows to His command. And our families have been established by His amazing plan for His people. So if we belong to Him, with every breath we take—whether in December or July—we can say with joy, “Now it’s really Christmas!”
Our family in Dallas at our youngest son’s home for Christmas last year.
I know you’re probably busy getting ready for your own Christmas gatherings, but I’d love to know what makes it “really” Christmas for you? And I hope you and those you love have a blessed, wonder-filled Christmas.
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Deborah, enjoyed your post! For me, it will be when our five sons are all home. Two are far away (Boston and Nashville) so we don’t see them much. This mother’s heart will be so full! God bless you and Merry Christmas !!
I totally get where you’re coming from, Karen! And how fun that you have FIVE sons! Have a wonderful time with them!
First of all its the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ . We celebrated that when our church put on a live nativity December the 6th. Inside the church we all had our own nativities set up for a display along with hot chocolate and cookies.
Then it was our Sunday School class party. Two classes of senior adults got together and celebrated the season with one another. Well Christmas is very special when celebrated with friends .
Then cards went out and the trees went up and out came my Santa and nutcracker and snowman collections and the house took on a Christmas glow. Still I decided to do something special for someone. So I drew an envelope off the Christmas tree at church. Each envelope had the name of a missionary inside and I choose one from a missionary stationed in Puerto Rico. I sent him a gift and card with encouragement and promises of prayers. So I felt I was following God’s will and making someone happy who was not expecting to be recognised in this way.
Then it’s all the blogs I participate in. Who could not feel the spirit of Christmas reading these wonderful posts and comments from my friends on these blog sites.
Finally but certainly not least I’m having Christmas here with my family. Eight of us. Family always brings out the warmth of Christmas. All of these things I’ve mentioned makes it seem like just the right Christmas kind of Good cheer and joy.
This has been a wonderful Christmas time this year.
I wish each and everyone on this blog site a very Merry CHRISTmas.
Shirley
A very merry Christmas to you and yours, Shirley. Sounds like you have a very full and blessed holiday ahead!
The days of December often pass in rush for me, and so my ‘Oh, it’s really Christmas!’ moment is usually tinged with a degree of surprise. I’m always thinking, ‘Already?’ and ‘How did that happen?’. I usually experience the realization that Christmas has truly come when I attend the Christmas Eve service at church. I LOVE that service. The busy-ness has all passed by then and it’s a time to refocus on Christ, on gratitude, and on family.
Becky, that Christmas Eve service is a really important part of the holiday for our daughter-in-law, too. It hasn’t been our custom, but when she’s with us for Christmas we always scout out a place to attend a Christmas Eve service.
Oh Deb….what a lovely, sweet post!
How special that you and Ken made scones and delivered to your neighbors – – you probably touched lives even more than you realize. 🙂
When I play my CD with Handel’s Messiah each year, then I feel it’s “really Christmas” – – and also when I continue my tradition of reading the Christmas story from Luke 2 to my kiddos (even now that they’re all grown) I realize it’s REALLY Christmas. 🙂
Christmas blessings to you and your family!
Hugs, Patti Jo
Patti Jo, I’m late responding to this, but just wanted to say I agree that reading the Christmas story is another moment of “REALLY Christmas” for me, too! When I was growing up, we took turns from year to year reading the Luke 2 account. This year, we began that tradition in a new generation with our oldest grandson reading the passage. It was very touching and a great reminder of what Christmas is all about.