Friday, December 25, 2009

My dearest God,

The day dawned rainy and cold but inside my home a fire glowed, a Cathedral choir sang, and the aromas from favorite family foods swirled in my home. It was Christmas again, that annual celebration of your divine mystery. I was happy and content although I was alone.

Soon they came, my children, grandchildren and later my first great grandchild with his mother and my grandson. After eating we squeezed into the sitting area in the front room, all 18 of us. I read the children's book, Light of Christmas, about a little boy who unselfishly gave the truest gift of Christmas and was chosen to light the village Christmas tree. And then I told the story of a baby boy's birth with the help of my grandchildren and, of course, I prayed a prayer of thanksgiving before opening gifts.

Our tradition is a very special one as we remember your son before we open our presents. The grandchildren always sit still listening to the story. In those precious moments we are like those shepherds and wise men who travel to the stable to see the infant child. We too bow down in awe of the wondrous event before we give gifts to one another. This is my favorite time of the day when we wander together following the light.

Beautiful Light
of Christmas,
we open
our hearts more
on this day.
We listen
to the story
because we actually
want to
hear it.
We want
to pause,
to remember
and reflect.
We want
to give thanks
and extend
our gratitude
because we recognize
the greatest gift
we shall
ever receive.
We want
to live
in the mystery,
the unfolding
of your
gracious agape love.
We like
finding ourselves
at the manger
peering over
the edge
seeing the baby
again.

Love, Andrea