I have had the pleasure of celebrating Christmas in five different states.
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Colorado, and California have each given
me a different perspective to the holiday where we celebrate birth of Jesus.
Each with its precious memories and each one letting us look back with thanks
and look ahead with fondness of next year. For the first 20 years of my life,
most were spent in New Jersey, with an occasional one spent in Pennsylvania with
my grandparents. Christmas was always a happy and special time at our house,
lots of decorations, and on Christmas Eve presents to open, from the family.
Followed by piling into the car and driving around and looking at the Christmas
lights and the decorations. It was always cold, and it is hard to remember a
time when it hadn't snowed, giving us a truly white Christmas. It was so much
fun to watch it snow on that Eve, watching as the snow piled up, and feeling
safe and secure inside, with only the walls and windows keeping the 60 degree
temperature difference from invading the warmth we felt. And then on Christmas
Day more presents, and lots of food. Happy times I look back on, and sometimes
wish I could go back to. Times as a kid when your only worry was if Santa had
peaked, or someone had ratted you out, you had tried, but sometimes it was hard
to nicer than naughtier. And then up to Pennsylvania, where more presents
awaited, from my Nana and Pappy, and it seemed every toy from the Sears
Christmas catalog was ours for the keeping-with a whole week off to enjoy them
before having to go back to school. But it was the white of the holiday that
made it special, and the decorating, the smell of the tree, and cookies. I will
always remember my Nana and her obsession with stencils on her windows that
looked like snow-mine never came out like that. Her silver tree with the
revolving light of blue, yellow, and red. It was the 60's and the only green
trees were real, but fake green was coming. At my Grandma's house she had two
trees, one green and the other silver-with only blue balls on it. Both homes I
wish I could duplicate, but there is always something special about going to
Grandma's, in the snow.
Jesus became the reason for the season to me in 1975, and after moving to
Albuquerque and my first non-white Charismas, drove back to Jersey with Garcia
and his sister Geralyn. My first time home after being saved, and it was all
different-going home always is after you have moved out and moved on. But that
first time back I shared Jesus with Richard and he accepted the Lord in his
car. That night I went to a Catholic service at midnight with Richard, not
knowing what to expect, but having my heart filled when the priest's opening
line was "Happy Birthday Jesus!" And with it white and cold outside, all was
well inside, both the service and me.
Other visits back would bring more memories, the first time Andrew had seen
snow, and cried-he didn't know it was cold! And one time showing up
unexpectedly at my parents the night of the 23rd! My mother standing there
mouthing words with no sound she was so excited. And both my parents telling me
later it was the nicest gift they had ever been given-a Christmas to remember.
And many still were to come-some white, some not-but all centered around Jesus.
Who loves to give-not just on holidays. So this year will be very special to my
family, for Jesus has given us the gift of life. I should be dead, but have
been shown mercy, and this Christmas will be different. Although my dad passed
away, I know where he is-celebrating. And the best gift I can give is being
here for my family-God's grace. This Christmas my wife is not a widow, and my
sons have their father here to celebrate with. One more year...and many more
memories.
So to you I wish a very Merry Christmas to you and all those you hold
dear. Treat it like it may be your last, and look back on the old ones and look
forward to the new ones. Each year in Christ brings new hope and new reasons to
celebrate. Whether in wintry Jersey, or balmy So Cal, remember wise men still
seek Him. I have been to Bethlehem and Nazareth, both in Pennsylvania, and let
me tell you, Jesus is there too. So God bless us each and every one-and if
possible, and may all your Christmases be white!
You know, I think there is a song, or maybe a movie in there somewhere.
Truly with Jesus, It's a Wonderful Life!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com