You know, moments that touch our lives and leave an ever-present fingerprint on our souls. Some moments are shared with dear ones while others are safely tucked into our hearts for our memory only.
In our minds we can review these moments with a smile or a tear or a new moment of pause and reflection. Of course some moments are made of grandeour and elegance while others are created by simplicity and humble circumstances. Some moments are from our varied personal experiences and adventures. Other moments are learned from history or other people's lives: those that have touched us that deeply to be nestled in our hearts with moments of our own.
There are those moments that are so heartbreaking that we will never forget the pain or loss, and there are those that are so heartwarming that we can never duplicate the joy or relief.
Today, I am reflecting on Christmas moments:
- the knowledge of the very FIRST Christmas day: Christ's birth
- Christmas 1979--I was growing in a warm & cozy womb
- Christmas 1985: a tent in the den, a new puppy, and Grandpa J's delight
- the Christmas I learned the *truth* about Santa
- the Christmas I recieved my very own name plate (yes, like the one you get at an office)
- the Christmas I re-learned the real purpose in celebrating
- my first Christmas to walk around temple square
- Family together moments-Christmas in Columbia, Christmas in Arizona
- a white Christmas (rare in TN!)
- first Christmas in Portugal (2002 : insecure, unaware, tears & missing home)
- second Christmas in Portugal (2003 : seasoned, fluent, tears to say goodbye)
- first Christmas as Mrs. H
- my third Christmas in Portugal (2007: traveling, tourists, tears to enjoy the moments)
And this year--this year is perhaps the best of all? Can there be a 'best' when there are so many great memories and moments? Another best, then--this year--Baby J's first Christmas...my first Christmas as a mother.
Last Christmas, with my growing baby bump, I thought often about the mother 'great with child' who travelled to Bethlehem. This year I have thought about the same mother and her baby son. The Son that would save us all from our weakest and most sinful moments, and give the world our most joyous and beautiful ones.
What are some of your cherished Christmas moments?
1 comment:
While I used to think there was nothing better then getting up Christmas morning to see all the packages with my name on them - now there is nothing better than to see the happiness on my childrens face when they see the packages with their name on it. And as I take it all in, I pause to remember the real reason for the season and thank 'Him' for all of my blessings (especially my 3 little ones).
Such beautiful writing Shara - I look forward to reading your posts.
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