Magical Christmas
There is a different energy that happens when Christmas arrives. Anticipation and ritual play important roles in creating the room for meaning and joy. We look forward to seeing family, some we only see a few times during the year. And, if we are lucky, we can gather as a group with our dearest beloveds all in one place at the same time. This was one of those years. All three of our grown children were home, two with spouses, and our entertaining grandson came to stay together, along with one set of our parents. Air mattresses were spread throughout the rooms, pretty packages were under the tree as it twinkled its’ pretty colored lights. The laughter of our young adults, the gushing of love and attention poured into the toddler, our Lucas, and the fact that everyone treasured being here together… that’s magical for parents. Seeing our family members give one another presents that they picked out exclusively for one another with love and intention—magic. Time around the table with good food and lots of conversation—more magic.
All things considered, I recognize we are fortunate to be in a warm home with blankets and pillows for everyone. There is clean water we make into coffee, tea, and cocoa. There is enough food for everyone to have a full tummy… even with healthy options and special holiday treats. We are able to cook our food, sit in our warmth, focus on one another, with comfortable clothing on our backs. It is not lost on me that these things are all blessings and gifts and are not to be taken for granted. I celebrate that, at this time, our lives can be like this. And, I remember and pray for those who are not experiencing the same.
I am thankful for driving to the grocery store and picking out the good food ingredients to make what we plan. Running through the drive-thru for a chocolate chip peppermint milkshake. Our beautiful real Christmas tree we picked out on a local farm while we smelled their campfire burning. The ornaments we place on it—from kids handcrafts, childhood treasures, special occasion keepsakes, and ones that remind us of special loved ones. The ability to gift one another with tokens of love. Sugar cookies. Being able to take as many photos as we want to document the full occasion. Extra magic.
There is Christmas Eve, with meaningful rituals and experiences that mark a lifetime of shared communion. With fellow pilgrims of our Christian faith, we gather to hear our faith story told and perhaps, witness a nativity. There are Christmas carols that have been a part of our lives since we were tiny. My grannymama taught me to sing “Away in a Manger” for our Christmas Eve services at the church of my childhood. And with my children, we have lighted candles every year while joyfully singing “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World”. We receive the Lord’s Supper, reminding us that God’s love extends from heavenly realms to an animal stall, amidst an oppressed people. His commitment to love and truth led Jesus to his death—and all this to demonstrate how far God will go to meet us in solidarity, wanting to be in relationship with all of creation. This night reminds us that God is with us. Emmanuel. We are never alone. That is good news of great joy—and a lot of holy magic.
Some years have been weirdly different. The year we were living out-of-state as newlyweds and could not come home, causing us to share a solo young married couples Christmas. The year during covid when no parents as well as one son and his wife couldn’t get here, so there were four of us in total. The year when we were worried about Covid so we all met in the garage, spread out, with the door wide open to keep air moving. And, I imagine there will be a year somewhere out there when Dean and I are alone with one another, as our children celebrate and create rituals with their loves. We have no idea what the future holds. I hope and expect it will contain its’ own goodness.
For now, we gratefully receive the gifts given to us: faith, family, joyful love, generosity, time together. And, yes, the thankfulness that overflows from the magic it all holds. Ever so grateful.