Christmas.Past.[Part1]

I apologize for my lack of blogging over the past few days, at first I was busy doing...well, everything--as the week of finals was truly a grueling one for me. And then I was busy doing absolutely nothing! I have so so so enjoyed my Christmas Break thus far. It feels so wonderful to be home in this precious little town. I don't know what it is about Apex, but I do know this: you can't find a sweeter town! And you definitely couldn't ask for a better place to grow up.

Being home got me thinking. This town is full of sights, smells, sounds, landmarks...that instantly take me back to a memory. Christmas always brings me home, and home always brings me into a comforting period of nostalgia. That being said, I got the idea a few weeks back to do a 3 part blog series that is sort-of-kind-of based on Charles Dickens' holiday classic, A Christmas Carol...and now, I finally have the time to do it! I am no Scrooge, mind you! I just think it would be wonderful to take the next 3 evenings to:::remember what I've gleaned from Christmas Past, reflect on what is Christmas Present, and voice my hopes for Christmas Future. The following are thoughts about, and lessons learned in Christmas Past:

Magical.

That is the perfect word to describe each and every Christmas of my childhood. While no family is perfect, and mine certainly wasn't close, Christmas WAS perfect. We had a real tree. Homemade ornaments. Cookies baking. Christmas music always on the stereo. My heart has literally warmed inside my body as I type this. As a child, I was able to experience so much joy through my family at Christmas time. I learned what it meant to really give. I felt gentle love and tenderness in gifts received. I developed an appreciation for tradition. I found joy in the simpleness of just spending time with my family.

My parents did a really great job of balancing the religious meaning of Christmas, and letting my sister & I experience some of the "packaged" merriment our culture has invented. I proudly believed in Santa Claus until I was in 4th grade, and I was heartbroken as my Dad sat me on our front porch to break the news I had so reluctantly seen coming. However, as much as I delighted in Santa and his gifts, I can honestly say I found Christ, and the story of His birth, so much more appealing.

I look back on Christmas Past with nothing but fond memories. Memories that have kept my family glued together through the years. Memories that force me to hold tight to this "Spirit of Christmas" that people are always talking about; the kindness, love, and comfort that are trademarks of this wonderful time of year. I am so grateful for my family, and the memories we have made together year after year. I am thankful we have the health and wealth necessary to celebrate, and I pray that we would continue to be blessed. May I never forget the values gained & the memories made in my magical Christmas Past.

                                          My view as I blog tonight:::Pure.Christmas.