This is a good read during the last week of Advent. It reminded me of a few disappointed childhood Christmases in which I pretended excitement like you did about gifts that weren't what I really wanted. I'm reminded of Trollope's comment in "Christmas Day at Kirby Cottage:" "Isabel desired to greet the morning of her Saviour's birth with some special demonstration of joy. Perhaps from year to year she was somewhat disappointed...." As this essay points out, our joy is stolen by the inevitable Christmas colds, the missing loved ones, the lack of money, the disappointing gifts. The prophesied world in which everything is fixed as been promised, delivered at Christmas, opened by us, but not yet fully assembled. We're still waiting in excited hope because we believe it will be completed. Come, Lord Jesus, come!
What I liked best is the rhythm of this essay, thinking about the Christmas of our life. Merry Christmas. I let all of my ghosts, good and mean hang around me. It's a good way to keep a close eyes on the mean ones.
It’s like sitting at a venue surrounded with soft music and smiling faces, listening to words that twinkle like the tiny gold bells hung from a beautifully decorated tree. You are always gentle appearing in the midst of your beautiful poignant stories. Wrapped in wisdom formed from your pain and sorrow, joy and laughter. I see you as a sower of truth. Continue to share these miracle seeds.GG
Great writing. In the end it is simply all about the experiences. Like your granddaughter, I as a child rearranged the manger a hundred times before the big day as if it were a Barbie set. Made me smile to think of that. You captured the spirit well.
Beautifully put, Shell. Much agreed....my Christmas Past experiences were truly just training for what we what them to be with our own family's experiences. I hope I exceeded their expectations. Loved this story. xo
Another great piece from you. You articulate something that really says it all for me at this time of the year. When I was a little kid, Christmas was all about stuff. Getting stuff. As much as I could get. Never mind that I did not even look in the direction of the stuff after a few months.
The key is that you wrote it well: at this time in my life I want the EXPERIENCE of Christmas; family and gratitude for what this holiday celebrates. Thank you for the words. You know how to make me do with you what you say Charles Dickens does with is characters: makes me feel like I want to be in the room with you talking to you about the times you describe.
This is a good read during the last week of Advent. It reminded me of a few disappointed childhood Christmases in which I pretended excitement like you did about gifts that weren't what I really wanted. I'm reminded of Trollope's comment in "Christmas Day at Kirby Cottage:" "Isabel desired to greet the morning of her Saviour's birth with some special demonstration of joy. Perhaps from year to year she was somewhat disappointed...." As this essay points out, our joy is stolen by the inevitable Christmas colds, the missing loved ones, the lack of money, the disappointing gifts. The prophesied world in which everything is fixed as been promised, delivered at Christmas, opened by us, but not yet fully assembled. We're still waiting in excited hope because we believe it will be completed. Come, Lord Jesus, come!
Beautiful words here. Thank you. ♥️
What I liked best is the rhythm of this essay, thinking about the Christmas of our life. Merry Christmas. I let all of my ghosts, good and mean hang around me. It's a good way to keep a close eyes on the mean ones.
Interesting idea to keep them close! 👻
It’s like sitting at a venue surrounded with soft music and smiling faces, listening to words that twinkle like the tiny gold bells hung from a beautifully decorated tree. You are always gentle appearing in the midst of your beautiful poignant stories. Wrapped in wisdom formed from your pain and sorrow, joy and laughter. I see you as a sower of truth. Continue to share these miracle seeds.GG
This is so beautiful. I want to save these encouraging words forever!
Great writing. In the end it is simply all about the experiences. Like your granddaughter, I as a child rearranged the manger a hundred times before the big day as if it were a Barbie set. Made me smile to think of that. You captured the spirit well.
Beautifully put, Shell. Much agreed....my Christmas Past experiences were truly just training for what we what them to be with our own family's experiences. I hope I exceeded their expectations. Loved this story. xo
Thank you. Good point--training for what we want. Yes!
Another great piece from you. You articulate something that really says it all for me at this time of the year. When I was a little kid, Christmas was all about stuff. Getting stuff. As much as I could get. Never mind that I did not even look in the direction of the stuff after a few months.
The key is that you wrote it well: at this time in my life I want the EXPERIENCE of Christmas; family and gratitude for what this holiday celebrates. Thank you for the words. You know how to make me do with you what you say Charles Dickens does with is characters: makes me feel like I want to be in the room with you talking to you about the times you describe.
Ooooh how I love this comment. I cherish your encouragement . . . more than you know.