As I was enjoying the annual Christmas Eve extended family get-together this year it struck me! How blessed are we to be surrounded by family in such a beautiful setting. I want to take you on a walk through my evening and share with you a perspective you may be familiar with. Take a moment, let your mind wander and see if this scene takes you to a wonderful place.
The day starts with my family gathering up all the gifts we (by we I mean my amazing wife) have bought and wrapped and stuffing them in the car. Thankfully this year the whether cooperated and we headed out the door to my in-laws home in the Catskill mountains.
My Father-in-law is a quiet, strong, gentle man who still cuts his own wood to warm the home, keeps up with the current political climate and emails funny quips to his friends and family all over the country. He frequently comments on how blessed he is and is truly amazed at what God continually does in his life. To hear him talk you would think he was a multi-millionaire without a care in the world. In reality his body is plagued with old injuries, money is tight and his guy didn’t make it into the White House. There is nothing he won’t do for his family. Many years ago, when things were very tight, he and Mom brought us a Christmas tree when we were not going to have one. That may seem small, but I can tell you that it made an enormous impact on me and my family.
My Mother-in-law is a stereotypical mother hen. She cares for every member of the family in the most loving, thoughtful ways. Her days are spent feeding the chickens, making meals, helping dad with the bees, texting my wife and staying connected to all four of her children’s lives. She somehow knows your deepest thoughts and character, and loves you anyway. Their prayers help power us through the tough spots in our lives.
When we arrive at their home around noon the quarter mile long driveway is plowed, the bee hives are all covered for the winter and a path to the house is cleared and covered with wood ash to keep us from slipping. There are snacks and treats scattered throughout the 200 year old farm house and a balsam Christmas tree decorated with some paper ornaments created by children and grandchildren, some glass ornaments from decades ago and the big fat Christmas lights that get too hot to touch. We are greeted by my wife’s sister’s family who drove in from Chicago and will be there for a week or so. The snacking begins along with the requisite catching-up conversation and the bewilderment at how a child can grow so quickly when only seen twice a year. My 15 year old niece is as tall as I am, beautiful and very funny.
With around 35 guests expected to arrive in a few hours there is much scurrying around, cooking and last minute preparation to be done. The Christmas gifts for the extended family are set out under the tree and the outside lights are all brightly beckoning the family and friends that will fill the house.
Cousins, Aunts and Uncles, friends and neighbors begin trickling in, all commenting on the aromas and homespun splendor, the fruits of Mom and Dad’s hard work. As the party builds and the traditional dishes of Swedish Meatballs, roast pork, pickled herring and, of course, Jesus’ Birthday Cake get gobbled up, all of a sudden a booming HO HO HO comes from the front porch. A visit from Santa Clause tops off the children’s night. Jack, a brilliant 6 year-old, is so excited he is shaking while his brother, only two and a half, cautiously approaches, snatches his gift and darts back to safety. It truly is an amazing sight! Santa is a wonderful cousin who is about 6′ 3″ tall and plays the part perfectly as a jolly, kind, gentle giant. The party resumes after Santa departs. Dad breaks out the home made Mead, which is honey wine, and more friends show up with an amazing cheese cake and more great conversation.
It was about then, this year, that I wandered outside to the front porch. Even though the heat was off, the house was about eighty-five degrees and I was ready for some fresh air. It was about thirty five very refreshing degrees outside and I sat down in a rope bottom straight backed chair and put my feet up on the railing. The laughter and joy of the sixty year old traditional gathering was behind me. The colorfull glow of the Christmas lights surrounded me and I gazed upon the majesty of the mountains, covered in the blanket of night and reflected in the pond below the hand laid flat-stone walls that seperated the house from the gardens and pond below.
As I drew in a breath of crisp mountain air and allowed the sounds and smells to sink deeply into the moment, it occurred to me that I was perhaps the most blessed person on the face of the Earth. Not one single aspect of that entire scene had one thing to do with my position in life. No money could have purchased that experience. It was truly the grace and favor of God almighty and the amazing gift of his Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Merry Christmas!
