The Significance of Christmas Memories

Scripture Thought for the Week: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:13 b-14
I came up with a real thought-provoking statement: Memories is a word that often links our lifelines to a validation of existence. The older I get the more memories I accumulate. In fact, I am more prone to talk about past experiences and adventures, for instance: 1) I recall more frequently the acquaintances of my childhood. 2) I embrace and remember more distinctively the sights and sounds of being a child growing up in Virginia and looking forward to the holidays. 3) I remember various stages of the growth and maturity of my children and how they anticipated each day leading up to Christmas and the long lists of items for Santa. However, my reflections clung tightly to my heart this year since several things have changed in the past 365 days in the calendar of my life. Ironically, it all came flooding back to me as I decorated my Christmas tree. Decorating our Christmas tree has always taken considerable time. Before Gary retired, I worked for hours and that evolved many times into days getting those strings of lights just right and all the ornaments hung in the appropriate place where they could all be seen by our visitors throughout the holiday. (It takes a lot of time and effort to transform my little abode into a winter wonderland.this is courtesy of my Mom!) But Gary was helping this year and as he unpacked all the ornaments I did the hanging. With our Christmas tunes playing in the background, Gary would quiz me on where each one came from and what memory was associated with that particular ornament. Needless to say, I came through with flying colors (after all, Ive done this for 33 years!), but the tide began to turn when old familiar friends were unwrapped and handed to me. 1) There are two handmade crochet bells made by one of my best friends Mom. Mrs. Wright passed away many years ago. As I hung each one I remembered how long my girlfriend, same age as myself, has been without her Mom and Dad and how I sometimes take for granted the opportunity I still have to hear the voices of my Mom and Dad on a daily basis.

2) There are numerous ornaments from my Mom, who is 90 years old. Mom has always loved Christmas as a little child and was so excited to give me each ornament. My personal favorite is engraved with the word daughter. This year Mom isnt seeing Christmas as she has in the past due to her increasing macular degeneration and that tugs exceedingly hard on my heart. 3) I wondered what my former students are doing as I hung their remembrances on my tree. They are now grown and living lives in various locations with families of their own. 4) The handmade school and church ornaments are on display from my children. Those treasures include their handprints and pictures at various ages. I still remember their expressions and joy as they proudly presented their treasures to us. I became quite reflective knowing that this tradition will include items from yet another generation in our family and how thankful I am for passing this tradition forward. 5) Then there is that very first ornament Gary and I purchased together the Christmas before we married that still holds a significant place in the front top center of our tree. After 33 Christmases together God has continued to bless our marriage. 6) Two tiny heart-shaped glass beauties were gifts from my cousin, Kathy. She passed away unexpectedly in November. There are countless gifts from her on the tree, but how they look differently this year. I began to remember when she gave them, the conversations we shared and the dinner we enjoyed at her and her husbands home last Christmas. It was the first time in quite some time our schedules allowed the time for a meal together. She lovingly prepared dinner and seven of us gathered around their small dining room table. Kathy sat on a stool because she was minus a chair. We laughed and reminisced growing up, but she ended the night by telling me that we needed to make this dinner an annual event. She concluded by telling me how proud she was of my ministry efforts and how she had enjoyed the devotional book I wrote in 2010. Words were exchanged that will forever be etched in my mind around a dinner that God knew would not evolve into an annual event. What memories are we making this year with friends and loved ones? We are not promised 365 additional days, friends. How will next year be celebrated and with whom will we share it? Wouldnt it be wonderful this year if we took a moment to thank the Lord for the individuals who have graced our lives with not only their gifts,

but their presence, their conversation, their hugs, their prayers for us and possibly a remembrance to place on our Christmas tree? So as you pack away those ornaments and put the decorations away for another year, remember, reflect and pray for the giver. Then start the New Year with a clean slate on which to write new memories! God bless!

Father, thank you for yet another new year complete with a clean slate on which to make new memories as we grow spiritually and witness to others of your great pardon and salvation through Jesus Christ, our Lord! Amen!