For mothers at Christmas
Every day this week I hear the same question again from his two year old little lips, “Christmas tree please, mama? Today?”
I remind him once more, it’s not happening today —we will wait this many days.
We are the keepers of Christmas.
Those who have been entrusted with creating their childhood memories.
A sacred part of the role as mother, no doubt!
I think back to my own childhood years and wonder at what held the most memories —which of them lasted to this day?
It was carrying up all of the boxes, heart bursting with excited to see the old familiar Christmas decor. It didn’t matter much how it looked.
It was the stacks of Christmas books and devotionals that my mother pulled out and sorted for us all - going on and on about which ones we really must read this year. (always more than what was possible!)
It was the train that went round and round the bottom of the evergreen tree, until of course the toddler had broken it beyond repair.
It was the Christmas music that had played for the past ten years and would play for countless more.
It was the big annual Christmas concert we prepared as a family because it taught us to think of other people’s Christmases and how we could make it brighter.
It wasn’t pictured perfect matching Jammie’s.
It wasn’t even the gifts.
It wasn’t a Christmas feast that was picture worthy.
It wasn’t anything perfect at all, actually.
And oh, how we all want things to be perfect.
I look now at my own little two year old.
I catch the wonder when we light up the Christmas garland in the archway.
The sheer joy of dancing to Christmas music with mommy and daddy in the kitchen after dinner.
It is small things that light his eyes up with wonder.
It is not the events and the outfits and the amount spent on presents.
Perhaps all of that is more to reach my own standard of perfection. To chase after what the others parade on picture perfect Instagram pages.
This year, we might get some things photo-worthy right. And this time we might find that all of the Christmas tree lights have stopped working for no reason at all and the baby isn’t so keen on the Christmas tree decorating plans that we all have in mind.
There might be wailing and flops and messes galore.
But what if, in all of the messes, we can create joy, laughter, and show Christ-like love in the chaos?
Could that possibly be what our children will one day remember?
I pray so.
And if you want a little help in creating a meaningful Christmas, here’s a little guide to hold loosely and try intentionality.
And if you’re after cultivating a posture of worship this Christmas, might I invite you to join me with this Christmas devotional?
