Soft flames are reaching beside me, toasting my the blanket that is curled around my body. A smooth creamy caffeinated drink is by my side, smiling as it were.
Oh! Also, my dear friend, the gingerbread house watches as I write about him. I guess Charlie Brown said it best,
"Christmas time is here
Happiness and cheer
Fun for all that children call
Their favorite time of the year
Snowflakes in the air
Carols everywhere
Olden times and ancient rhymes
Of love and dreams to share
Sleigh bells in the air
Beauty everywhere
Yuletide by the fireside
And joyful memories there
Christmas time is here
We'll be drawing near
Oh, that we could always see
Such spirit through the year
Oh, that we could always see
Such spirit through the year..."
This is the only season that I turn on the radio. I do not want to miss out on Christmas music, old and new.
But besides all of this holiday bliss, something inside me stirs.
Simplicity maybe?
Gentleness perhaps?
Love?
All three I believe.
What my heart really feels around this time, is the birth announcement of a wee babe. A simple yet courageous and beautiful boy. The Bible doesn't say that Jesus was a beautiful or handsome baby, in fact Isaiah said, "For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant,
and as a root out of dry ground.
He has no form or comeliness;
and when we see him,
there is no beauty that we should desire him." See. Not beautiful or handsome. A simple baby.
But for me, just him once being here, is a beautiful thought.
When I was a little girl, every year around December, I could feel Christmas coming. You know what I'm taking about. When you were young, you could really feel Christmas. In your nose, heart, in the very depth of your bones you could feel it. Christmas has these funny sweet smells, tastes and joyous sounds and captivating sights that make you want to smile and laugh all the time, just out of pure jolliness. (new word)
At about age 12, I could start to feel a difference. Christmas was getting harder to feel.
Then, one December, it happened..... when I was 14, I glumly told my aunt , "It's really really hard for me to feel Christmas this year." Her "encouraging" response was, "Yep, that's right kiddo. And it will only get worse."
Honestly, I wanted to cry. Christmas is the best feeling ever, how could I go the rest of my life without it?
Well, here I am, almost 20 and that old Christmas feeling is completely gone. Or is it?
That old feeling has been replaced. Replaced with wonderful new feelings.
Gentleness,
Simplicity.....
and Love.
My new Christmas feelings come when I think of a little dark skinned baby boy. So gentle. So simple. So much love wrapped into one little baby bundle. These feelings come rushing inside me like a warm cup of hot coco . I just wish sometimes that I could have been there that night. I just wish that I could have held him in my arms on that night the angels sang from the heavens. To hold Jesus in my arms...wow... :) I am just so in love with him.
He is my Beloved, and I am His.
(but that is for another Blog Time With Beth.)
When I really think about it, I enjoy this new Christmas feel much more. It's not based on smells and tastes and sounds and sights that come along with a season. It is eternal, and it's much stronger than my childhood feelings. I can still feel Christmas with Gentleness, Simplicity, Love, and the occasional Charlie Brown Christmas carol.
So, I guess Charlie Brown did sing it right, "Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"