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So many things are going on at this time of year! Do you remember your parents telling you about how fast time flies and it goes faster as you get older?
I heard this phrase recently “ I wish you could know you are in the good old days before you left them!” These words ring true no matter what season of life you are in.
This Christmas season is a little different for me, my daughter doesn’t live at home anymore and my son is now looking at going away to college. I find myself so reflective and thinking of those crazy busy times when the kids were younger. You know all of the school programs and “Angel
Tree” parties and kid-centered events that happen at Christmas time. When I was in the midst of all of the busyness, I loved it, but it was also another “to do”. I often felt like I just wanted to say no to some events so as a family, we could just slow down and embrace the season of Christmas.
Well now, I’m slowed down and I’m missing the busyness! I miss the school Christmas programs and the Girl Scout cookie parties, along with kids’ church PJs and hot chocolate fun nights! I miss cuddling my little ones and reading the Christmas Story to them as they are in their onesie pajamas.
I know I’ll have to let my kids go and reset my Christmas Season expectations as they journey into adulthood. But I also know we have had the best days and my kids so sweetly remind me of the traditions they will carry on. They even promise they’ll let me read the Christmas Story to their kids! (I promise I didn’t guilt them into it!)
I hope this year, especially as we are more like we used to be(pre-pandemic), you soak in every moment and smell and sounds and etch the memories, no matter where you are in life!
Christmas Season is an amazing reminder that we are living in the best days. We get to celebrate the greatest gift of a sweet baby as a promise to save the world! Imagine Mary soaking in that memory as she held our savior in a manger! My favorite Christmas song is Oh Holy Night. No matter the version or who sings it, it gets me, the lyrics speak to the heart and meaning of this time of year.
O Holy Night
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and e’er pining ‘Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees O hear the angels voices. O night divine O night when Christ was born O night divine, O night, O night divine.
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming, With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand. So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming, Here came the wise men from Orient land. The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger; In all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger, Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend! Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother; And in His name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful raise we, Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever, His power and glory evermore proclaim. O night divine, O night, O night divine.