A Wonderful Christmas Time

Christmas was significantly pared down this year, what with the economy and all.  That is the material part of it.  The spiritual, joyful, grateful, together part of Christmas seemed greatly enhanced as a result.  I think it was one of the most pleasant Christmases in memory.  There was nothing spectacular, nothing even remarkable.  I think it's beauty lay in it's simplicity.  That and in it's little sacrifices. 

One daughter drove eight hours to be here for two days, just to turn around and drive home again.  Another daughter, concerned that the little ones might have to do without much this year made enormous personal sacrifices for her neice and nephew.  Another daughter, whose budget was tight, still motivated us to reach out to folks less fortunate than we.  Our youngest, who still lives at home, did all the decorating and ran so many errands. Mom chose to give a gift of livestock to impoverished third world recipients in our name.  We couldn't have been more pleased.  A niece and nephew who've been strapped by enormous medical expenses and much illness during the year were recipients of a cash gift given in Grandmother's name.  What wonderful choices, to recognize our own abundance and share it with those in very real need.

My brother's family all gathered too.  Seven couples and 19 grand children.  To take a little pressure off the house they went sleigh riding and then reserved the recreation hall at the church for a meal, games, singing and mingling.  We were included.  I'll never remember the names of all those neices and nephews.  It was so good to meet them though and observe their wonderful little personalities.  Their parents are raising them so well.  With a generation like these growing up we have the prospect of a bright future indeed.

We have so very much to be thankful for.  Sweetie and I were quite dependent upon the others for rides to and fro as our car is still in the shop from last week's collision with a deer.  Every one has been so helpful and gracious in our time of incovenience.  We never had to miss a thing.

I was so impressed with one of the local radio stations.  For the past couple of weeks they've been running a spot reminding us that Christmas is about our Savior Jesus Christ and encouraging us to love and care for those less fortunate than ourselves.  How refreshing that was amid all of the advertisments encouraging us to spend our money on this or that commercial, must have.

More than any Christmas in my recollection, this year, I have felt Peace on Earth.