Thanksgiving has come and gone. All the rushing about, shopping for food, cooking, baking and cleaning is finished for now. We had a beautiful day with our little family, as well as several “adopted” family members who stopped by throughout the day.
We enjoyed a delicious meal cooked by myself, Popsy (my hubby), and my daughter in love. Funny how one preps and cooks for two or three days before the big day and within twenty minutes the first round of eating is over. Thankfully, there are leftovers which means no cooking required for me today - and hopefully tomorrow too.
I wished everyone on my list Happy Thanksgiving, enjoyed visiting, gave thanks and then started our Christmas season off with the kiddos getting their matching Christmas jammies.
This morning, as I received return messages from yesterday, I’ve pondered the transitions in life. We were even chatting about this very thing yesterday. My oldest grand princess is supposed to sing Where Are You Christmas in a kids drama a couple weeks from now. She was “performing” for us yesterday, and I mentioned the different Christmas’ and how they’ve “changed” as I’ve gotten older.
Our first memories are of celebrating Christmas with eager anticipation as small children, then when we become teenagers it changes a bit and the nostalgia seems to wane. Then, there’s the first Christmas you celebrate away from home as a newly married couple. That’s different. This is usually followed by the first Christmas celebrated with the birth of the first (and subsequent) child, when the excitement seems to ignite once again. Then, there’s possibly the first Christmas when you’re celebrating in an “empty nest” as children grow up and leave home or get married. And, there’s the Christmas’ that follow when you welcome babies again in the form of grandchildren - biological and ones adopted into the family.
There are also Christmas’s when the firsts are not nearly as celebratory. On a personal level, there’s been the first Christmas I celebrated with one of my children being an angel (yes, that’s how we look at it for our peace). The first Christmas without my grandparents, then without my mom. Theses lists are endless.
There always seem to be transitions. Some wanted, some not so much. What, if any, type of transition period do you find yourself in this year? There have been Christmas’s I was excited about, some I have dreaded, some which seemed totally foreign, and some of which I never wanted to experience. I think it’s safe to say I’ve been through a lot of seasons in fifty-one years. I’ve made it through each of them and have stories and memories to share.
Though it’s not always easy, through each season of change and transition, we learn to live it out, adjust, and carry on. We hold precious memories, hopes, and dreams together within our hearts.
Yes, life does have a way of “changing” us, as well as, our holiday seasons and celebrations. Even our every day sometime! We can either adjust and find some new ways of doing it or we can avoid the changes like a plague and most likely become bitter. (Ask me how I know!) I know that might sound harsh, but I don’t intend it that way. There are simply some moments in life when we change or grieve, when we must give ourselves and others grace to do so, and we must tend to our hearts and be sensitive to the hearts of others who may be hurting with the changes their life brings about.
The most beautiful thing about Christmas though, is at the very core of its existence…
“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
Matthew 1:23
The most beautiful thing about going through transition is that God IS WITH US!
Remember that song, Mary Did You Know? The fact is, Mary experienced many transitions too. She would be well able to sit down at the table with us and share her own stories. She had God with her in a different way than we do today, but we have the privilege of being assured that He is indeed with us. Every. Day.
As we enter the final phase of the holiday season, rest assured that we’re never alone. Whatever proverbial shoes we’re walking in today, know that this road isn’t the end. Rest assured that God is with us in every transition and change of life. How do I know? Because I couldn’t make it through any of them without knowing He is with me and is leading me on new paths which are unknown and awkward to me.
God With Us - you and me - in whatsoever transition or season of life we may find ourselves in. It’s the best gift we could ever be given or receive: hope, peace and His presence.
I pray you’ll open your heart and receive His gift for your present season. While we may ask, Where Are You Christmas?” we never have to ask God where He is - for He is always with us. My prayer is that you’ll feel Him near.
Rest in knowing this, my friend, and may your heart be comforted and feel joy in knowing…
God is with us.
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