From the Heart
It’s begin to look a lot like Christmas. Ever since the day after Christmas the Leonard Home has been filled with snowmen, Redbirds and lots of snow-tipped Christmas trees. Poor Chuck often leaves the house wearing a bit of glitter and snow.
I never decorate before Thanksgiving. That’s my favorite holiday and I want plenty of time to wrap my heart around all the blessings.
But then . . . let the Christmas Spirit bring forth great JOY!
I place the simple Nativity scene on the table near the tree. I tuck a wooden sign near it that reads, “They followed the Star.”
As I hang each ornament on the tree, I reflect on the memory that each one brings to my mind.
I love everything about having people over around the holidays to celebrate family and friendship. Picking out the recipes. Sprucing up the house. (I did not say clean). Playing the sounds of the season.
The words of the Christmas Hymns calm the weary soul of this woman who has too much on her Christmas platter.
Silent Night, Holy Night. All is calm, All is bright. The tears fall from my cheeks as the memories of Christmases past fill my heart.
And I remember.
Christmases of long ago, when my mom and dad sat in the congregation at the Nazarene Church to hear me sing with The Three of His Trio. Barb Pyke Carter, Kathy Pyke Stevens and I sang together for over thirty years of Christmases.
Oh Come Let us Adore Him would bring us back to a place where we felt the joy of the world. Barb would sing O Holy Night and for a few moments, all was calm and all was bright.
The scriptures in Isaiah foretold of Jesus, a baby, who would come into the world in such an unexpected way. A baby who changed the world then and is still changing the world today . . . if we allow him.
Whenever I hear the Hallelujah Chorus my remembering takes me back to high school when the choirs would sing with the Indianapolis Symphony and Choir under the direction of the amazing Jane McFarland. She is still directing choirs in Texas even into her 90s . . . so I am told.
Love comes down at Christmas in so many ways. Sometimes we have to seek it.
As I sit in the dark of my living room, sipping my coffee and admiring the lights twinkling on the tree, I ponder.
Why do I let the chaos and hassle of the holidays steal my peace? Why do I allow the Grinches of the world to tamper with my joy? And so, then, I hear the music in my heart and I reflect on the words of Silent Night. My mind is brought to a place of calm. I only wish it could stay there.
If I am to have and hold onto joy, I must prepare Him room. I must give space and take the time to reflect the reason we celebrate.
I love the scripture in Luke that tells of the Angels appearing to the shepherds and saying, “Fear not, for I bring you tidings of great joy which shall be to all people.”
I want those tidings of joy. I want heavenly peace. I want them for my family and friends. And that is what I want for Christmas for all who read this.
May you feel the warmth of the words of a Christmas Hymn or two that is probably in your mind as you read this. May you reflect on the memories of Christmases past that fill you with great joy. And may all your soul find peace as you seek Him.