This week I've found gladness in just absorbing the good things about this time of the year.
I left my larger Nativity sets in Missouri, but I have a few smaller ones displayed. One portrays the loving look of Joseph as he looks down on Mary and Baby Jesus. I am reminded of the peaceful look this version displays and then remember Joseph's terrible struggle to grasp the meaning of who this baby would really be. His humanity was overwhelmed and it took some divine intervention to cause him to believe. I recall some divine witness in my life this past year to help me in my struggles with doubting and unbelief. I am filled with gladness when I remember what God has done for me and my fragile emotions when I wasn't able to believe on my own!!!
Always a reminder that Christmas is only because God designed it to be about He and His Son.
And because He gave, we give. I have created what I call a Beverage table in my home. I love it because the sharing of the cup has always been an extension of friendship. Jesus shared the "cup" with his dearest friends. He instructed us to give a drink of cold water to those in need. It is a beautiful example of answering a basic cry for love that we all have within. We thirst for acceptance and love and fellowship. I love to offer a literal cup of hot drink or a simple cup of cold water to my visitors. I feel gladness in that part of extending friendship to all who enter my door It truly is a connection.
And with that, I am so very glad to share my table with friends and family. It is one of the joys of my life to hold hands with my husband while we offer thanks and share a simple meal. Those times are some of the most peaceful times of our day. We cherish them. Last week, we were privileged twice to have guests at our little white table that was in the back room of the Pearl of Grace Ranch. It was on its way to the dumpster when I rescued it. Fellowship has been so special over that little table this December. What bonding is done at the kitchen table. I am so glad to have the privilege of sharing homemade soup and bread and a smidgen of sweet stuff with special people across the table.
The beauty of candles in my home at any time make me feel warm and cozy. They somehow feel especially comforting on cold winter nights. I have a special affinity to candlelit lanterns during the Christmas Season. I guess it's because of the nativity pictures that I love have Joseph carrying a lantern to light the stable. It's a picture I have on my kitchen countertop. That photo gives me the warmest feeling of gladness every time I look at it. In fact it is such a picture that I have had a really hard time blending it in with any decor. It seems it needs its own space to really show the glory of the Stable family lit by that Lantern. I had a very large Nativity that had a lantern in Joseph's hand. Every year in storage, the lantern would get broken off. Every year, I would glue it back on. That holy Lantern was, to me, a very important part of the Nativity. I am known as the "lady of the lamps". I don't do glaring light very well. I prefer soft, warm, adjustable lighting. It reminds me of The Light of the World. He came quietly; small and soft. He brings us to awareness of our insufficiencies in a very gentle way. He speaks in a still small voice. I am so glad for that tiny light that was born so many years that has illuminated our dark world!!!!
We have a Christmas tradition of reading Christmas Stories during December. I had a very special Christmas story collection that I have read from for probably 25 years or more. There's just something about stories of the Christmases of the past that resonates in our hearts. My husband and I are reading some amazing Christmas miracle stories this year. It's our little evening bonding time. And my heart will ever thrill at the true Christmas story which has been read most every Christmas Celebration of my life. I can still hear my daddy's voice reciting it. I married into a family who also practiced it. And our children and grandchildren are still privileged to hear my husband read this very important Bible passage every year!!
Truly Christmas is still full of gladness... all made possible by those "glad tidings" delivered by the angel so many years ago!!
To all my friends and family: Hope your Christmas Season is full of reasons to be Glad!!
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