What You CANNOT Do!

AMEN!

Merry Christmas

A friend sent this to me with this message: "I am celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ."

The message also went on to say: "Maybe we can prevent one more American tradition from being lost in the sea of 'political correctness'."

"Merry Christmas" therefore, is a wish that you will find joy in the event of Christ's birth. The announcement of the Angel to the Shepherds in the Gospel of Luke clarifies the sentiment behind "Merry Christmas": "…the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."

So, Merry Christmas everyone.

Starting New Traditions

New Traditions - it's kind of an oxymoron, isn't it? I mean a tradition is a customary behavior and you can't have customs if you're starting something new, can you?

But, anyway, our family is having to face the daunting task of starting a new tradition. Let me explain.

My dear mother-in-law (Mee Mee) passed away last Friday. Thankfully, we left on the Monday before and had some wonderful time with her and ample opportunities of expressing our gratitude and love. It was bittersweet, for although, I knew she was at peace and was spiritually ready for her next and final destination, saying goodbye is never easy.

They say that saying goodbye is always harder on those that are left behind. How true it is.

We have spent the last 26 years with Mee Mee for Christmas. (We've been married for 26 years.) This includes a few days before with loads of family and a special gathering on Christmas Eve with Mee Mee's sister, Aunt Bea and her husband, Uncle Tom. I know, it sounds like something out of a story, and, in many ways, it really was. It's really all my kids know and love of Christmas.

Let me give you an idea.... we would pack our bags and pack our car with presents and drive to Mee Mee's house; which was in El Dorado, AR in early years, but for the past 20 plus years has been in Shreveport, LA. We would come a few days early and maybe do some last minute shopping, but one of our highlights was Christmas Eve dinner at Aunt Bea's house. This would include our family and all of Uncle Tom and Aunt Bea's children and grandchildren( as time went by) special neighbors and a extra special friend that could play the piano like no one's business. Her name is Suda. After dinner we would gather around the piano for Christmas carols and maybe a story or two and sometimes a group game. It was always fun and always different and always extra special. Aunt Bea bought a special present for every guest and had it wrapped and placed at their table setting. There were just a lot of special things like that. Then on Christmas morning we would have our Christmas with Mee Mee. Over the last few years we had bought Mee Mee a stocking and stuffed it with lots of little goodies and we had such a great time with this. Mee Mee has bought our children a pair of pajamas for Christmas every year since they were born. Special little times, special little moments. Then we would head to Aunt Bea's again for Christmas brunch. This was another scrumptious meal followed by more fellowshipping. Then on Christmas night we would head to Uncle Sam and Aunt Teresa's house for more gift giving with their family.

I'm just trying to figure out how to replace all of that. How can you replace it? I just don't know. I do know that nothing happens that the Lord won't bring us through and Mee Mee couldn't live forever and this day was bound to come, but I am caught off guard. I am praying that even though we can never replace what we had with Mee Mee, God will give us creative ideas for new traditions. New ways of celebrating and enjoying our family and becoming closer to Him and to each other. After all, that is what Christmas is all about.