I enjoyed the Advent writings but as soon as I was on the road to Denver, it all went out the window. So much has happened-it's always a scramble to get out of South Dakota. I use the excuse of leaving to get my house in order- paperwork filed, insurance issues wrapped up, and of course, this year's Christmas presents wrapped up, too. Last year we sent unwrapped gifts in Amazon boxes and sorted them as we opened them- it was a bit chaotic, to say the least.
This year it was just Drew and I in Denver for a beautiful "softly falling snow" Christmas Eve with my sister and family. Lovely time. Then after Christmas Day, we trekked off to Dallas and the airport where Paul had flown in from Seattle, and we headed south to Waco. Abby, Steve and Josiah had driven from North Carolina via Chicago and were waiting at Scott and Lindsay's. Who were busy with brand-new baby girl, Mariam Charis!
The wise men would be proud of our convergence. They who followed the Star didn't have to deal with the Dallas-Fort Worth airport maze or Dallas metro traffic or an Arkansas ice storm. Of course, they rode thousands of miles on swaying, spitting camels. Maybe it was an even match.
And while they were awestruck with the Babe they found, we were just grateful to be together. God created this idea of family- humans could have just made babies and wandered off separately to the jungle, bush, savanna, or cave. But He who dwells in perfect communion as Father, Son and Holy Spirit also formed us to long for community- within the Body of Christ and for family- biological and created by marriage.
During our family time together, we cooked, we ate, we played games. We cuddled one small baby and "airplaned" the bigger sturdy one. We provided time for some to see a movie, some to take a walk. We called from the grocery stores to check for recipes and preferences and cooked some more. The gang was split between two houses and that maintained some sanity.
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| Yes, we did resort to electornic entertainment. Didn't last long! |
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| And you are never too young to learn to cook with your uncle! |
And one perfect evening as the babies slept, we sat and toasted each other. To long desired brothers- created by marriage. To the future and the plans God has for each family. To love and laughter and fun together. To the man who started this whole process but is no longer here to enjoy his progeny. It was a taste of heaven and I think Bill was there in whatever way the spirit world touches the material.
We may not always be aware of the veil that separates us from heaven but there are sweet times where it is as thin as it can be for us on this side. I remember sitting and rubbing Bill's feet as he rested in the hospital bed. We set it up in front of large double windows and we could gaze out at the forest. Outside our home, leaves of the trees were turning to gold; inside, my husband was moving toward a new and golden Land. It could have been a terrifying time, instead, I was so aware of the presence of heaven. It shimmered all around us and the veil was gossamer. It was a moment of great peace and even contentment.
This holiday had its transcendent moments- glimpses of heaven, tastes of communion.
A young mom nursed her newborn babe, a new dad gazed tenderly at his daughter.
A sturdy, almost toddler baby grinned in glee as he poised briefly between couch and table- "Look at me, I'm becoming a little boy". Brothers laughed at games and computer videos. Passages were read from books or websites, ideas were discussed. Gifts were given and received. We communed with one another.
Unlike heaven, we also had some sleepless nights, baby spit-up and drool on our clothes, annoying head colds and unmet expectations. Winter in the middle of Texas is about as dull as you can imagine and a cold rain kept us from a hike in the hills of the local park.
Babies cried, parents were frustrated and this grandmother got lost driving the two miles to "he-who-needs-no-sleep" on her early morning rescue mission.
Heaven is fleeting here on this earth.
But on that first Christmas so long ago, Jesus came down and visited this place. Now He continues the redemption of His creation, of us. The mistakes made in families can become lessons in our lives. Our character can be transformed by His Spirit- patience grows, gratitude is practiced, kindness is chosen. There are always second chances for the ones we love.
Family is the garden to cultivate grace.
In this new year, may we be more aware than ever of the sweet moments when our attention is drawn...
.... by His presence, by His beauty, by His love. In our families, wherever they are.
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