The other night, as I lay sleepless, tossing and turning thinking of all that needed to be done, something caught my eye. Mr. FixIt breathed the slow, even breath of deep slumber as I had a moment of regret spending all that time knitting and not enough baking, shopping, wrapping. But just for a moment, because this is what captured my attention.

There was a light above me. I didn’t have my glasses on, of course, but I reached for them and rolled over on my back. Looking up, I caught a clear view of the nearly full moon…thin clouds scudding in front of it, creating a circular prism of light refracting through billions of ice crystals in the atmosphere. I was mesmerized…and humbled.

In that moment, the verse from Isaiah came to my mind. “For unto us a Child is born.” I suddenly felt such awe. My busyness was insignificant. My concerns…nothing. My focus had momentarily been on worldly things…material things…unnecessary things. They had absolutely nothing to do with the Reason for the Season.

We had our last scheduled family gathering for the holidays yesterday at our granddaughter’s house. She is a young wife and mother. This was the first time she had ever cooked a family dinner. This was the first time some of her family members had ever been to her home. She called the day before to ask if she could borrow the electric knife to cut the ham. I could hear the breathless excitement in her voice. The undercurrent of nervous anticipation…hoping everything would go as planned. Would the ham be dry? Would there be enough food? I asked if there was anything else we could bring. Eggnog! Could we bring a half gallon of eggnog? “Of course!” I told her. “We can’t wait to come. And don’t worry…everything will be perfect!”

Do you remember the first time you had family over for a gathering when you were starting out? What is now second nature was once a Herculean task. Martha did a fine job. The ham was one of the best I’ve ever tasted…seriously. I made a point to ask her how to make it. The secret was Cherry Coke and pineapple rings on top in a baking bag at 400 degrees for three hours. She, her husband, and her baby girl wore matching Christmas onesies. When she called the guests to the table, she asked for a blessing. Her eyes met mine and I smiled gently. “This is your home…your dinner. You say the blessing.” She beamed with pride.

Later, in the kitchen, I was cutting the chocolate cake I brought. Martha walked up behind me, wrapped her arms around me and gave me a big hug. “I really love you, Ginny. I’m so glad you came into my grandpa’s life.” My heart melted to a puddle of goo. Oh…I miss my Colorado family so much this year. I miss the loved ones who aren’t here to enjoy the holidays with us anymore. And I am ever so grateful to have married into this beautiful family. The first thing I did was walk straight into the living room, give Mr. FixIt a huge hug, and thank him for giving me even more beautiful family members to love on. 

When Martha gave the blessing yesterday, she ended with “Thank you God, for giving us your son. And…Happy Birthday, Jesus!” After all…we are holding the world’s biggest birthday party today. Let’s not forget that. ❤️

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6 KJV