'tis the season....
I like Christmas music. I tend to fall into singing a Christmas song just about any time throughout the year.
I think my favorite traditional songs are "What Child is This?", "Oh Holy Night", "Joy to the World" (not the 3-Dog Night version - although I like that one, too.) and "Hark the Herald Angels Sing".
Then there are a couple of non-traditional songs. Like "The Little Drummer Boy" as sung by Bing Crosby and David Bowie. The song is traditional, their version is not. Although I believe it's become a Christmas Classic. Then, there's my favorite of all. "A Baby Just Like You," by John Denver.
"The season is upon us now. A time for gifts and giving. And as the year draws to it's close, I think about my living."
Wow... yes, living. Life. There has been a lot of sadness and loss in our little community lately. Enough to make us all grateful for being able to get up every day and appreciate each day that God provides for us. There's been so much in the past few weeks. A young grandmother who succumbed to the cancer she'd been fighting for a few years. A vibrant man who fell down some stairs and didn't survive the fall. A neighbor's brother suddenly passes leaving a wife and two young children. A beloved retired teacher who had inspired so many. My friend's father-in-law. The daughter of one of my mom and dad's dearest friends (they had passed long ago). My best friend's half-sister. So many more than I can list.
Just over a year and a half ago, my friend Deb was in hospice. Now, I have another friend, Deb, in hospice. We've been friends since high school and eventually co-workers at that same high school. This one was fast. She was just diagnosed about a month ago. She doesn't want to see anyone, so I can only send texts that are encouraging and "thinking of you, praying for you (and hubby)". I can't imagine what this is like for her. And I don't think it's fair. I have to rely on my faith in trying to understand.
"The Christmastime when I was young, the magic and the wonder. But colors dull and candles dim and dark my standing-under."
I have vague memories of specific Christmases as a child. The one where I got my small kitchen set. My really cool 70's watch with interchangeable mod bands. Cool clothes that I always wore to the Carlinville Holiday basketball tournament. My Thumbelina doll. I don't remember when I got my Pebbles doll, but she was always my favorite. Kind of like me and Kelley. We don't remember when we met, but... always my favorite. My Grandma Leefers being with us on Christmas morning. Then we packed up and when to my Grandma and Grandpa Lancaster's where all the aunts, uncles and cousins would soon arrive. I remember my Great-Grandma being there. I remember her smiling at me as she sat in the yellow step-stool chair in the kitchen. I remember a dish of mints that was always up high on the china cabinet, but if you wanted one, you just had to ask Grandpa. He could reach them and the answer was always "yes".
"Oh little angel, shining light, you've set my soul to dreaming. You've given back my joy in life, you've filled me with new meaning."
If you know me at all, I don't have to explain much about WHO that is these days. I used to think it about A.J., but now... Reilly Grace tops my list. So much joy, love, entertainment. Yes, she is quite entertaining. Always on the go. My delightful little angel. My shining light. My soul dreams. My whole world.
"A Savior King was born that day, a baby just like you."
Oh my, yes. As we remember Jesus we usually think of his ministry. The 30ish Man who led His disciples. His miracles, His healings, His words of wisdom, His teachings and lessons. Only at this time of the year do we remember that He, too, was just a little baby. A blessed baby with tremendous wisdom from the beginning, but yet a baby. Who still needed to learn to walk and talk and be weaned from His Mother. I always wonder if He took in the world and His surroundings as a toddler just like our Reilly and her toddler peers do now. Slowly examining things. Putting them in their mouth to feel and assess. Did He discover the world the way we did as toddlers? The way our children did? They way our grandchildren do? Or did He know from day one what everything was. What it's purpose in the world was. Thankfully, He knew what His purpose was.
"And as the Magi came with gifts, I come with my gift, too. That Peace on Earth fills up your time, that Brotherhood surrounds you, that you may know the warmth of love and wrap it all around you."
That was and still is my wish for A.J. I wish it 1000 times over for Reilly. I have tears just wishing all these things for her and her world. And I pray every day that she will have the strength, compassion, courage and wisdom to handle anything that comes her way. Because I fear the world will not be engulfed fully in peace. There may not be a complete feeling of brotherhood surrounding her. And sometimes the world may not feel like a place of love. But I hope she always feels the love of her family and friends. I pray she knows there are many who will love her and be there for anything she needs. I pray she will seek them out when she needs them. I pray she will seek Jesus when she needs Him, too.
This Gigi will be there. Pop will be there. Mommy, Daddy, Nana, PaPa, Aunt Ash, Uncle Joe and Carter. And there are so many more. Most will be around to celebrate next weekend. Celebrating the One Who taught us to love.
"It's just a wish, a dream I'm told, from days when I was young. Merry Christmas Little [Reilly], Merry Christmas Everyone.
Merry Christmas, Little [Reilly]. Merry Christmas Everyone."