It’s mid-morning on December 24th as I write this, and I’ve just sat down with a mug of reheated coffee. Handel’s Messiah is playing on our Alexa Dot and a pot of water is simmering on the stove steaming my mom’s Christmas cake.
I’ve had her recipe in the plastic yellow box I’ve kept special recipes in for the past half-century. Mom’s old wooden recipe box keeps mine company in the cupboard above the coffee station next to the pantry in our kitchen. I’m not certain I’ve ever made her Christmas pudding before, though I wrote it out on a card so I’d have it at some point in the long-ago times. (I texted my daughter so see if she could remember. She said maybe once when she was very young.)
Gerry just brought a bin in from the garage where I store our Christmas stockings and the minimal decor that I no longer choose to use. We’ve just hung them above the fireplace—one for Gerry, another pink one for Molly, and a 65-year-old one for me. Yes, it’s the same stocking Mom and Dad purchased somewhere here in Moose Jaw for my first Christmas.
It’s a pretty ordinary day here. The washer and dryer are humming—well, less humming and more making a racket. Gerry is just back from downtown with a box of butter and mincemeat tarts from the bakery. This evening, we’ll go downtown to the little Anglican Church we attend that was built in 1912 for the Christmas Eve service.
It occurred to me the other day that the seasons of us enjoying Christmas through the eyes of children are behind us unless and until, Lord willing, we live long enough to be blessed with great-grandchildren. That boggles the mind more than a little!
I wonder what you’re doing today. Are you, like us, enjoying a quiet day? Or, perhaps, calm before a Christmas morning storm? Whatever it is, and however you are marking Christmas Day, my wish for you is an abundance of the things we’ve been meditating upon over the past four weeks of Advent—hope, peace, joy, and love.
Peace that goes beyond circumstances because, Christmas or not, life is hard. And sometimes Christmas itself is hard. We’ve all been there. Hope, because without it, we fall into despair. Joy far surpassing the feelings commercialism stirs up in an attempt to get us to give in to despair and self-medicate by spending. And love, because you are so worthy to receive it and to embrace your own belovedness.
Happy Blessed Christmas, friends. May your day be one of peace.
Handel’s Messiah hits the spot for me too this Christmas season!
OH I love the music…and lyrics…of Messiah! As a music major for my undergrad degree, I’ve sang parts of this many times and it’s always such a blessing to my soul.
We had a Xmas Eve candlelight service at our church….we went to the 5 pm one as the 2 pm usually has babies and toddlers in the audience and the 3:30 pm one is usually packed! the last service has always been our fave. It used to be at 7:30 pm when our girls were younger. The last 2 years my husband, oldest girl and i have been in the choir so missed sitting with our youngest. this year our youngest was sick so had to miss and for once we didn’t have choir!! (We will perform at Easter instead). I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week reflecting on the peace, joy, love and hope that Jesus brings.
You write so beautifully that I can almost smell the cake and coffee and hear the music! It was a busy Christmas at our home with family and friends and Church and even, sadly, a funeral on Monday. However, I know the Savior will make all things right and with faith and prayer we can get through life’s trials. We did have a merry gathering at the Pines and way too much good food! I guess that will be my resolution for the new year…less food, more movement! Have a very Happy New Year!
How nice to see you here, Kathleen! Just visited your blog and read about the tragedy with the young boy from your church. Thankful for the healing balm that comes through Christ, but still can’t imagine the grief as a result of his passing.
You still have your old Christmas stocking after all these years – what a treasure indeed! Our decorating was minimal this year, but we had a pencil tree with lights along with candles and a pretty poinsettia for the table centre. It was enough. I enjoyed reading your evocative post – imagining the smells of your mom’s Christmas cake steaming on the stove.
Trust you had a Merry Christmas. Many wishes to you for a Happy New Year – one that is filled with beauty and goodness all through 2025.
Hope you’re enjoying these liminal days between December 25th and January 1, Brenda. Your minimal holiday decor sounds perfect.