Christmas Morning

Today is my 50th Christmas morning. Like most people, I don’t have much recollection of the first couple of my Christmases. But, the beginnings of my memories are full of laughter, excitement, love, smells and wonder.

The first thing I remember even as a child would be waking to the wonderful smells or Turkey, Ham, dressing, dumplings and the rest of the feast that was fit for a King! My mama and daddy would start Christmas Eve preparing for our wonderful meal which would always include numerous deserts. One of my daddy’s prize creation was his homemade coconut cake and my mama’s was her 12 layer chocolate cake. At least these were MY favorites of their labors!

My brother and I would get up on Christmas morning and head down to the kitchen where we knew we would find mama and daddy. We were then directed to where the tree was to see what Santa had left and to open presents. We couldn’t begin anything until mama and daddy made their coffee and joined us. Then the camcorder and camera would start their jobs. Daddy would read to us from the Bible. We always would hear The Christmas Story out of Luke, chapter 2. Then he would pray. That is a wonderful memory I hope will stay with me the rest of my life. A memory of knowing that before anything was done, my parents would always make sure we knew and understood what Christmas was about. First and foremost it was about a baby who was born in a manger; a baby who was born of a virgin and sent to grow up and die for my sins; a baby who willingly came knowing He would die just so I would have eternal life. All I had to do was accepted Him as my personal Savior, believe in Him and live for Him.

Next came the presents. We would take turns opening so we could enjoy everything that everyone had. Billy and I would always get too much. We always did. We weren’t rich by any means but mama and daddy always made sure our needs and most of the time…the majority of the time…our wants were met as well. We would finish opening gifts and while Billy and I got things in order…well, played with all we had gotten…mama and daddy would finish cooking the meal.

We would all four join together at our table along with Tommy and Phyllis (my uncle and aunt on daddy’s side) and try our best to devour some of everything that was put in front of us. After the meal we would take a nap, get up, start over with the food and talk about the day.

That was the recollections of my first 48 years of Christmas. For the past two years it has been different. My daddy passed away April 2, 2009. Last Christmas was just a blur. I remember spending the whole day in bed. That was my recollection of last year. This year is somewhat different. Mama, Billy and I did exchange presents. We did put up a 3 ft Christmas tree on the memorial table we have prepared for daddy. Mama fixed a ham and we will have ham sandwiches for Christmas lunch.

However, this Christmas morning I woke up to silence, no smells except for the coffee brewing, sadness and a dread of getting out of bed. I knew once I was up and the day starting the floods of memories would soon be coming from my eyes in the form of tears. I would have to see the sadness on my brother’s face and the despair on my mama’s.

But, before I got out of bed I watched the part of “Charlie Brown Christmas” where Linus was telling what Christmas was all about. What a way to be hit back into reality and have my focus put in priority.

I miss my daddy with all my heart. Christmas will NEVER be the same without him here. In my human heart I want him here with me but in my Christian heart I am in such awe of the Christmas he is having with our Savior. He is in the presence of the One who is the whole reason for Christmas. What better Christmas could my daddy be having and how dare I be so selfish that I would want him back and away from all that glorious celebration. Yet I’m still human as we all are. I know I’m not the only one feeling this way this year. But, I do hope that if you are feeling these same feelings you are also aware of the reason for Christmas.

I am a child of the King! I am a Princess. Wow! What more could I ask for Christmas? I am rich beyond measure and loved beyond measure. I have my family, friends and a father in Heaven along with my Heavenly Father.

Merry Christmas everyone. I pray that you will have the best Christmas ever and if you don’t know my Savior as yours that you will allow Jesus to give you the Christmas present He has for you. Please unwrap that eternal gift of salvation.