Christmas Cognitions

Christmas 2013 has come and gone – it was a great celebration of the birth of the Savior. I read Ann Voskamp’s book  The Greatest Gift during the Advent Season --- I became re-acquainted with  those who were connected in some way – directly or indirectly to the Christmas story. I decorated a Christmas tree.  I made a very sad attempt at baking cookies as gifts. I spent the day with close friends and even laughed a little.  This was my second Christmas with Mom and Dad in Heaven; with no siblings this can be a little tough.

As I thought on this, I realized we really established no Christmas traditions – every Christmas took on its own unique flavor. For this I am grateful—I don’t miss traditions I miss people, namely my parents. Pardon my reminiscing, but I would like to share a few thoughts from Christmases past.

I remember the year I was 11 and Grandpa was seriously ill in the hospital; Two of my cousins and I wanted to cheer our parents up so we put on a pageant of the Christmas story.  As Tim belted out “We Three Kings,” I led them to the manger, but we halted dead in our tracks with the words... Stop … they didn’t go the manger!”  The entire family burst out laughing. That same year we had lunch with my cousins’ family before venturing back to the hospital.

Some years we attended Moravian love feasts—a tender commemoration of the birth of Christ—pure tradition, but it is comfortable and I enjoyed it.

Other years we had a variety of people in our living room or around our Christmas table. It seemed each Christmas took on its own unique flavor. Our main traditions were the trimming of the tree and the exchanging of gifts.  In later years we would get up early and go the breakfast at church before we did anything.

Once Mom went to Heaven, Dad and I felt our way along.  Grief does strange things to people especially at the holidays.  Today, I am grateful that each Christmas had its own flavor.  I try to put up a tree ---I enjoy touching the ornaments that link me with my parents --- life goes on.

We remember, because He came.  We rejoice because He is coming.  I celebrate for Him.