No last minute hustle and bustle. No shopping and errands and exchanges of "Merry Christmas" wishes. No Christmas cards addressed at the last minute. No baking. No classroom Christmas parties. No Christmas puzzles or trips with friends to Silver Dollar City. No midnight races to be the first to shout, "Christmas Eve gift!" Not even any Christmas movies. We've all been too sick for that.
It's been three people piled up on three separate sick beds trying desperately to concentrate on their books so they won't perish of boredom. It's been a lot of cat napping and way too much coughing. And, on my end at least, more than a little feeling sorry for myself. One of the things I love most about Christmas is the energy and excitement. And I've been missing it.
And then.
And then I woke up just a little while ago. Christmas Eve morning. I woke up and began praying first thing, as I always do. I began thanking God for the sunlight streaming in, turning the room to gold. For the romping dogs playing outside the window. For the sweetly sleeping child in the next room. For the husband who let me sleep and was already up and out at the grocery store. For the fact that I could breathe again without stabbing pain. And for Christmas.
It's still Christmas, you see.
It's Christmas with or without the tree. It's Christmas with or without the excitement and energy. It's Christmas with or without the baked goods, fudge, stocking stuffers, and the mall. It's Christmas with or without the tree, traditions, excitement, and wrapping. In fact, all those things are just add-ons.
It's Christmas because Christ came. Emmanuel, God with us.
God with us. God. With. Us.
Think of it. Just think of it!
17 comments:
Merry Christmas to you Relyn! I'm glad your spirits are rising. Here's hoping the best of health, happiness and joy find you in 2013!
Merry Christmas Relyn! I hope this one, without all the usual tradition, is the most magical of all for you and yours!
xo Mary Jo
You have the spirit. So sorry that you ahve all been so sick. Sounds like you might have had pneumonia. It's hard when you have to miss so much. Every year I do as much as I can early. Never fails something happens. One year a broken leg. My HUbby and I shecked me out at the hospital against the wishes of the medical doctor. They couldn't cast my let til the following day. Our neightbors brought leftovers from their dinner and my hubby grilled hamburgers, hah. I have had a migraine for almost three weeks now and on steriods. I refused to let it get me down. I was able to at least function at home....unlike you. Goodness, I hope you feel better. Glad you hubby went to the store. Mine went for me as well. He actually went to Honey Baked Ham for ham, turkey a pie and side dishes.....God Bless him. Can you tell I am on steriods.....longest message ever.
Feel better my friend......it's going to get better. ((((HUGS))))
yes it is, It's Christmas, so be merry, let it seep in your heart and work it's magic :)
Merry Christmas from someone who feels blessed by your posts. I empathizes With some of the changes you have had. It seems better Somehow when there are others who are working their way through similar "stuffs.". And now we have a new year before us to do as many ranndom acts of kindness as we can wherever we can to offset those who choose otherwise. Let us Be strong and fight the good fight.
God bless you Relyn you do know what Christmas really means.
Much love to you sweet friend - you have everything you need right there beside you for Christmas, your loved ones. It's a very difficult holiday for me as one of my best friends is fighting cancer and its fighting her hard. I hope you and your family are feeling better really soon!
Dear Relyn,
I'm so sorry to hear you've all been so poorly. As you know my teenage daughter's been ill for over a year now. This Christmas we have had some excellent conversations about the true meaning of Christmas - that it isn't the hustle and bustle and the gifts, but the love we have for one another. Maybe sometimes we need these reminders to help us focus properly?
I do hope you're all back on your feet soon, and that you will enjoy Christmas nonetheless. Blessings to you all!
Yes, it is hard to get in the spirit when you're not feeling well and things are not the same. The sadness of what happened in Newtown is affecting all of us, but like you, I know that Christmas lives on in our hearts.
Hope you and your family feel better soon. God bless you!
Yes, it is still Christmas! I look at being unprepared and yet all I can think of is getting to see those special to me sit by my tree and at my table. I hope you are feeling better. I think I came down with this bug about the same time you did. Today is the first day I can see feeling better. Whew! Take care and Christmas will be special no matter it those things are done or not.
Relyn, you said this so well.... And it's so true. I hope you and your family feel good as new on Christmas Day. Merry Christmas!
May your Christmas be Merry and Bright............I love you sweet friend and am blssed with your love........and golden gift of friendship. I hope you all feel better and may 2013 sparkle and shine for us all.
Love Jeanne
Feel better, friend, you and your family. I'm glad you're keeping your spirits up. Have a wonderful blessed new year too.
Seasons greetings. Such a beautiful post. I've been ill as well --- am cooped up in my room, trying not to infect others with a bad viral that I've picked up.
I am a bit better since the past one hour. We had a secret Santa at the workplace, fortunately, I was able to get my gifts delivered (and also got the gifts meant for me). The Thank You card for my Secret Santa will have to wait until Monday but he/she knows that I've been ill.
Take care.
PS: Have given up blogging for now, may return in the spring.
Emmanuel...God with us.
Can there be anything more
alive with light and joy!
God with Relyn and family:)
May you feel it to your bones
and beyond,
Jennifer
(healing hugs all around)
I've been meaning to thank you for this; it warmed my heart the minute it arrived in my inbox. Such a perfect reminder . . .
Really hope that you and your family are all back in the "pink". Sounds as if you really had a tough holiday season!
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