Christmas Reflections

Christmas is such a nostalgic time, isn't it?

Every year as the season rolls around, I find myself traveling down memory lane, remembering Christmases past and the people that shared them.

It starts as I get decorations and ornaments out of their storage spaces. Remembering where I bought this ornament or who gave me that one. Remembering my mother as I get out the snowmen she made or as I hang the door decoration she quilted. Remembering travels and the ornaments purchased on those trips.  Remembering.

Throughout the season, more memories flood my thinking. At Christmas I often feel particularly nostalgic about my trips to Israel. A few years ago, for three out of four Christmas seasons, some part of my holiday - either just before Christmas or shortly after Christmas Day - was spent in the Holy Land. One year, in fact, we spent New Year's Eve in Bethlehem!

 

 

As I have hung ornaments we purchased in Israel, as I have placed the olive wood nativity set we purchased in Bethlehem carefully in its place, and as my eyes are drawn to other things we purchased while we were there, my heart and mind have traveled back again and again. Such a flood of memories!

 

This morning I read Matthew's account of Mary and Joseph traveling with Baby Jesus to Egypt to escape King Herod. And as I read I could vividly recall our first trip to the Holy Land, before the Arab Spring, which included several days in Egypt. We visited one of the places where it is believed that Mary and Joseph and Jesus lived while they were there. 

 

 

As my Advent readings have taken me through the Scriptures, through the prophecies and through the gospel accounts, my memories have taken me to Bethlehem, to the place of Christ's birth.

 

 

And to a field outside Bethlehem where shepherds first heard the news, announced by the angels, of the birth of the Savior.

 

 

During those visits to Israel, we walked where Jesus walked. We went to Nazareth and to Galilee. And to Jerusalem. There we followed His footsteps from Gethsemane to Calvary. And we stood on the Mount of Olives, the place where one day He will return to earth.

 

 

 

This morning I have been thinking a lot about Christmases past. And I am also thinking a lot about this Christmas we have just celebrated. It was wonderful having all my Feasters under one roof. This morning, as they have all gone back home, I'm missing them. It's very quiet around here this morning, but that gives me time for reflection on all the blessings of this Christmas season.

This Christmas I was able to sing with our Church Choir as we shared "Lessons and Carols". This was my first Christmas in several years to be able to sing with a choir, and what a blessing it was. How thankful I am!

This Christmas I cooked an entire Christmas dinner for my family. That hasn't happened for quite a long time. I have no memory of the Christmas two years ago, when the family was all gathered for Christmas just after I was out of rehab. And while I have been cooking more in the last few months, this was the first family meal I had cooked since before the stroke. How thankful I am!

Having all my Feasters under one roof doesn't happen very often, so each time it happens is very special. This morning I'm reflecting on the love and laughter and good times we shared, and my heart is overwhelmed. How thankful I am!

Christmas makes me nostalgic. It has me looking back. But it also causes me to look forward, to that Christmas yet future when Christ will return to earth. No longer a Baby in a manger, but King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

  



"On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east."  (Zechariah 14:4 ESV)

This morning I have been looking back. Reflecting on the blessings of this Christmas. Rejoicing in God's goodness.

And this morning I'm also looking forward. Pondering these words of the Apostle Paul:

"....looking for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession." (Titus 2:13-14 NASB)