Christmas Eve 2014

After enjoying the last several days at home with the kids - playing games, baking cookies, looking at tacky lights - we had a quieter day today. We attended the children's service at church, had our traditional post-church lunch at Five Guys, and took long naps. We got to talk to Grandma Camilla on the phone while the kids opened presents from her. We sprinkled reindeer food on the lawn, and put out cookies and milk for Santa. After reading some Christmas stories they are now in bed. I'm excited for tomorrow - the chaos and excitement - and the joy of being at home with our family for this special holiday. Not everyone has the chance to do that, so I try to appreciate it even more. As I think about all I'm grateful for, I'll quote one of the books we read tonight - The Spirit of Christmas, by Nancy Tillman.

I had just nodded off, at a quarter past four, when the Spirit of Christmas stepped in through my door.

With a great show of sparkles, he decked all my halls in tinsel and twinkles and bright, shining balls.

I was really quite fond of the trimmings he'd brought. "But there's just something missing this Christmas," I thought.

"Bells!" he said. "Jingle bells! Bells right away! Bells on a one-horse galloping sleigh!"

"A toy soldier band dressed in matching red sashes! Candy cane tongues and marshmallow mustaches!"

"Everyone caroling songs of goodwill. So merry that even the trees can't be still!"

I shook my head. "You are really so kind. But it's just not exactly what I had in mind."

He spoke to me then in a whisper of wings. "There are gentle things the season brings."

"Snow that lies silent. As quiet as a mouse. And roads that all lead to your grandmother's house."

"Ten lords a-leaping as seven swans swim. And of course, Santa Claus, I'm just getting to him!"

I lifted my chin and stared up at the ceiling. I still wasn't getting that warm Christmas feeling.

That's when the Spirit of Christmas smiled. "Remember, this all began with a child. Because it took nothing but love to begin it, it's not really Christmas if love isn't in it."

Your tree may be large as the room will allow with a big yellow star on the uppermost bough, but of one thing I'm certain, I'm sure of one thing. It is love that makes the angels sing.

And that's when I got it. That's when I knew! The thing that was missing from Christmas was you! 

And so then, my darling, wherever you roam, may you always be safe...may you always come home.

For as long as the world still spins and still hums, wherever you are, and no matter what comes, the best part of Christmas will always be...

You beneath my Christmas tree.

Merry Christmas!