Within the next few weeks, we will experience a holiday that should be like no other. It is the celebration of the birth of Christ. We must remember the true meaning and give thanks to God for sending his Son to us, for it is through belief in Him that we are granted everlasting life.
With this in mind, we then celebrate by being with family and friends. We exchange gifts, eat too much and enjoy the presence of our families and friends. Some years, Christmas is better than others. We must share our loved ones with other families and this leads to being without anyone to share our joy. I have had many Christmases when I was alone, and many with the house full with love and cheer flowing freely.
As a child, we lived next door to my Grandmother. Christmas was always fun, there would always be lots of people at her house. With the eight children she had and their children, plus my Grandfather’s large family, we always had more than there were beds. Some years the whole living room floor would be covered in blankets and kids. It would be warm, the house would be decorated, and there would be more food than an army could eat, but there was always love and happiness.
As I grew older, I left home, went into the Marine Corps and could not return home each year. The extreme change was really hard to cope with the first few years. Although I had a few friends that had not gone home, it was very lonely not being with family. When I got married, though Christmas was not the same, it was enjoyable to have my small children and sometimes others of my family with me. As they grew and were no longer around, once again, Christmas changed. Now it is, go here or go there, seldom stay home and have everyone together. The distances that families live apart and the work and activities the children and grandchildren are involved in all contribute to less frequent family gatherings, especially at Christmas.
So as we celebrate this Christmas, let us express our love to our families in whatever way we can to let them know that we are thinking of them this Christmas. Let us remember to keep our Faith and give our thanks to our Saviour for our many blessings.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas, and may you enjoy the presence of all your family and friends. And if you travel, my the good Lord give you a safe journey.