Each year at this time I am caught between sentiment and reality. I am ambitious in my wants - I want to bake a lot of cookies, several pies, visit lots of friends, walk through neighborhoods with Christmas displays that twinkle through the fog - and I am practical in what will happen: one pie for Christmas dinner and one batch of cookies for friends down at the group gathering place. It is a season of memories that include carol singers and watching movies with a group and cheering on my football team in a house filled with people dressed in the same team colors....and it is a season that slams into the reality of a pandemic, scattered family and people who think football is dumb (I am suspicious of them but no matter).
This year I am acutely aware of the choice I can make to be happy, full of good cheer and focused on the reason for the season. The choice is the same one I make every year but this year is different.
This year, Christmas Season 2021, I am intentionally and deliberately choosing to be happy. I am (of course) missing scattered family but I am okay waking up alone in the house with a Scottish Terrier for company. I am disappointed that my Christmas lights are not working well but I can start saving for next year, when I am retired and can dazzle the neighborhood with a display worthy of a Griswold. I can worship the Savior and be grateful to the Woman who said, "Yes" despite the culture of her people who could shun her at best, kill her at the worst, because of the pregnancy that changed the world.
Last night I sat at a table with some young kids - 6th and 7th graders - and we played a game and they had fun with me. They giggled and laughed and gave me High Fives when I got an answer right. Sure, we had some that are the Age of Snarky, but they were at the next table. OUR table was one of laughter and joy and light and flat out fun.
I could have missed that if I did not deliberately choose to participate in the life going on around me. I am not related to any of those kids - to them I am just Miss Leslie from Church - but the kids at my table? They wanted to be there. They hugged me when I left. I felt the love.
Today I am very grateful for the life God shows me. I am willing to be a part of it in even a small way. One pie. One batch of cookies.
Next year, maybe my ambitions will be met but for this year?
Merry Christmas, everyone. May the Love of Christ fill your heart and mind and may you never doubt how Loved you are by your Creator.
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