MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN IS SHINING
It is Christmas morning December 25, 2014. It is foggy this morning and the thermometer is reading 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Cool, but no snow this year. It is extremely quiet and calm this morning. Christmas was always a very big deal in my house as Jan and I raised our three children. There was lots of excitement, noise, joy, music, prayer, and hub-hub as the family all awoke early and gathered in the living room next to the ten foot tall Christmas Tree (one of seven trees that decorated our home). A roaring log fire blazed in the fireplace. Stockings were packed with surprises and goodies for each family member. Gifts were every where in, under, and around the tree. Most usually a grandparent or two would be in attendance with the local clan. It was indeed a very big day and it lasted well into the night. Merry Christmas, Christ is born! Oh the joy of a gathered family.
Well, things are much different today. I am up all by myself enjoying the calm with a first cup of coffee. I live alone today. Not much noise in my house yet. There are a lot of things that still exist today, the trees (only two this year), the stuffed stockings, much reduced decorations, but music, prayer, and Christ our Lord, Emmanuel, ‘God with us,’ ” are still in abundance. My bride, precious Jan, went home to be with Jesus in heaven on September 11, 2011. Nothing is the same without her here. But, the special holiday is still a big deal to my children and grandchildren. Therefore Poppa Dave is up and at-em getting all things ready for when those special “guests” show up in just a few minutes to once again celebrate the Christmas day.
I have just stuffed the turkey with dressing and plopped it into the oven. In about six hours from now we all will be sitting around the Christmas dinner table enjoying a delicious meal together as we always do….prepared by Poppa Bear. I am so blessed. God is so good. Truly, all things work together for good to those who love the Lord.
Christmas is intended to be a joyous and happy time of year as well it should be. There are however, many people who suffer greatly at this special time of year. Loneliness can and does reign supreme for too many people during the month of December every year. Tragedy in one form or another has occurred in their lives either recently or many years before. That tragedy still taints the joy of the holiday. God never promised us that we would all live to see all of the seasons of our lives. Nor did He promise that all things that happened to us would indeed be good (at least from our own point of view and perspective). Rain has always accompanied sunshine…it is required for growth to occur.
Thankfulness and gratefulness are the watchwords of this Christmas Day.
In order to assure that you have many things to be thankful for, it will require you to do the important things that pop up in your life immediately at the time they occur. Don’t procrastinate. Don’t put things off. Keep the important things of your life important. Set priorities as to how you spend or invest your days and hours. Keep family utmost in your daily activities. Hug and hold each member of your family as often as is possible. Live-in parents (husbands and wives) are essential to raising good quality, actively involved, and highly productive children and grandchildren.
It takes good people to make good people. Never postpone telling your loved ones how much you do love them. Never pass up a chance to hug and squeeze them or tickle your grandchildren. The actions you take today will be your fondest or most miserable memories twenty years from today. A life of happy memories represents a well-lived life from yesteryear. The wonderful and happy joyful activities of this Christmas Day will be what you mentally “feed on” ten years down the road. Don’t wait for or don’t waste an opportunity to do some good to some other person whenever a chance to do it presents itself. Random acts of kindness are the grease that moves the wheels of happiness in life.
Forgiveness is also a great key to enjoying this Christmas Day. It all begins with your Creator, Father God, being willing to forgive you and pardon all the sins of those who wisely ask for His forgiveness. Everyone has done some things that they regret doing. Forgiveness is God’s way of clearing the slate,… of starting over,…of initiating a new beginning.
“Forgive others who trespass against you, just as God forgives your trespasses against others”…whether they ask for your forgiveness or not. One of the most beautiful gifts God has given us is that we can clean our own slate all by ourselves…all that is necessary for that to happen is for you to ask God to forgive you! Simply refuse to allow anything to offend you. Turn the other cheek,…rise above your critics,…change your own mind and actions. Remember, your problems and challenges cannot get any bigger, but YOU CAN….get bigger than you presently are!
Well, it is now just past 10:00 A.M. Things are just about to begin in earnest on this beautiful morning. My grandchildren and their parents are about to come driving down the entry road to my house. They have been up early opening presents and gifts in their own home from loved ones, family, and friends. They have opened their Christmas stockings and will have many things to share with me when they arrive.
All is in readiness for a wonderful day of new memories to begin. The family unit is the basic foundational building block of all societies throughout the world. That is why God created the institution of marriage and gave man and woman the ability and privilege of conceiving and raising their own children.
Remember, your children are becoming just like you,…but your grandchildren are simply perfect.
Make certain that you do all that you possibly can do to strengthen your personal families ties,… nurture personal relationships,…heal old wounds,…and add lots of laughter and love to each person’s life.
Rejoice! This is the day that the Lord has made!
I better rekindle the log fire, make sure the Christmas tree lights are on, and turn on a new Christmas CD…music is one of God’s greatest gifts to all of us.
I see a fully loaded white Yukon coming down the road….
Let the games begin!
I love you all! Have a very Merry Christmas!
Peace And Love to All of You……………….Poppa Bear