There’s nothing quite like a clear cold winter night out in the country. My hand stretched out one step in front of me is blanketed by velvety darkness. The dark is so dark that it is like a separate present companion, not just a state of atmosphere.
Christmas Eve conjures up stories of unique experiences whether warm fuzzy family traditions or hollow disappointments. I’ll share a childhood story that encompasses both.
Several of you have commented on my Christmas Cactus picture I had posted on facebook and asked me follow up questions.
I heard, really heard for the first time the words of a familiar Christmas Carol, “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem.” The specific words which grabbed my attention were, “Our hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.”
What can you serve to drop-in guests during the holidays, to carolers on your door step, to your neighbors, on your dessert buffet, or at your church potluck that everyone, I mean everyone devours? Puppy chow, that’s what!
My emotions are like the cumbersome metronome swinging predictably from one weighted side to the other on the top of our ancient upright childhood piano. Back and forth, back and forth it swings. I’ve allowed my holiday mood to be dictated by whatever the most recently received crackling ethernet message is. I should instead give the myriad, joyful, effervescent family stories the permission to bubble up and sparkle my holiday consciousness.
We are currently laughing in Texas that one of Canada’s weather children has lost her way and has ended up in Texas! We would like to return her home!
I know exactly how Ruth felt when Boaz approached her as she gleaned in his fields. She was simultaneously stunned and comforted when he said, “I heard how you left your father and mother and the land of your birth and came to a people you did not know.”
It’s the day after feasting with our families and friends. The last thing we want to do is get back into the kitchen! However, we ask ourselves, “what can I serve all my houseguests besides turkey and ham sandwiches?”
During this holiday season, we fret about how to ensure that our guests feel welcome, feel like they belong in our living rooms. How about we whittle this stressor down to one action plan; intentional listening to make sure that all who cross our threshold are being heard?