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The holiday seasons come and go so fast, but I wish the days from Thanksgiving through December would slow down so we could savor the true meanings: giving thanks for what we have and who we have. I want to linger over the time with family and friends, enjoying each other’s company, and not worry about how much I still have to do.  Of course, giving gifts to our family, friends and those in need are an extention of God’s love, but don’t forget that Jesus Himself would leave the crowd behind and go to a quiet place. Reflection on the many gifts God has given us, especially His Son Jesus Christ, is the reason for this holiday (holy day) season.

I was reminded recently of Christmas miracles that have occurred in my life. One time was when my oldest son was only seven months old. We were moving 1,500 miles away during Christmas week. My then-husband was already up there looking for work and had found a small place for us to stay. My mom and grandmother drove my son and me to my aunt and uncle’s house, where we were met by my husband. The family wanted us to stay with them over Christmas, but my husband and I were eager to just be the three of us for the first Christmas. Thinking back, that was selfish of us, but we were young and wanted to start this new life right away in a city hours from there. 

Kindnesses shown to us gave a new meaning to Christmas at that time in my life. Besides my family, we encountered the kindness of strangers.

Christmas Eve and morning, there was no heat in our rented two-room cabin, with the landlord not responding to fix it. We decided to go to a restaurant for breakfast to get warmed up and keep the baby safe. The drive was almost magical, with the sun shining on glittering snow, tall holly trees with red berries peeking out, and the adventure of a new life. That, and the warmth of the car, helped melt my blue heart. While we were eating at a restaurant, an elderly gentleman came to our table and cooed over our son then asked permission to give him a stuffed animal. We were happy to say “yes” and dumfounded to find the gentleman had also secretly paid for our meal.

Later that morning, two of my husband’s acquaintances welcomed our family into their one-bedroom apartment. Our story of the unheated cabin had the bachelors insisting we stay with them until the heater was fixed. When we found out the heater would not be fixed for several days, our new friends moved our belongings into a storage area at their building to wait for an apartment to open up.  The next week, we moved into an available apartment in that same building.

The groceries provided by my aunt made a wonderful Christmas dinner for us all, plus another person they took in for Christmas. I prepared a baked chicken, some potatoes, a couple of cans of peas, and cranberry sauce. A simple feast with those who took us in was enjoyed with gratefulness. And our baby was the center of attention with a few gifts (but much love) and reminded us of the reason for this holiday—God’s gift of love through His own Son, Jesus.

I don’t know why that Christmas came to mind 47 years later. That was not a happy time in my life, and I often felt hopeless, but God gave glimpses of hope at unexpected times for me to cling to. Later, I understood that God Himself is my hope in all things. I can rejoice and be thankful for the trials that led me to know Him deeper and praise Him for the goodness of His incredible love.

Right now you may be happily anticipating all that goes with the holidays, or you may be encountering hardships beyond your control, but remember this—God is at work and loves you so much that He gave His only Son. 

I pray that you know the hope that only God can give. And have a blessed holy day season.