The Ghost of Christmas Present...

So, what does Christmas look like today?

As much as I try to ignore the Christmas of yest er year, it can creep in at the most inconvenient times. It sometimes overshadows the holidays in odd ways. Not just the fact that the anniversaries of some of the darkest days of our lives are in the days approaching Christmas, but also in the fact that Christmas shopping is now a struggle due to financial strain. We continue to face mounting medical expenses that leaves a budget that has a lot to be desired. No longer do we wonder what reaction awaits the desired gifts, but how gifts will be provided. Now, I know that Christmas is not all about gifts, but it is nice to get your children some of the things they want. This year was stressful but there were funds for some nice gifts and there were very happy children yesterday morning. Not elaborate but very nice.

There was also snow...I can't remember a Christmas that had so much snow. Living in the country means the snow stays pristine and white and clean. It was a wonderful reminder of how blessed we are to have a savior that brings us a new life...a new start...the opportunity to wash away the old and become renewed. The children laughed and played and laughed some more in the white powder. Because I do not like driving in ice and snow, Keith took me everywhere I needed to go and this afforded us some time alone...without the kids...to reflect on where we are, where we have been and where we are going.

Christmas Eve was special. It is no longer just a time to get together with family and friends for gifts and good food. It was a night to be reminded of the real Christmas story...of a savior born to all humanity bearing the gift of everlasting life with our Father. Even if Jesus was not born on Christmas Day, we can still ponder and be thankful for His heavenly presence here on earth. But it was also a night of miracles for our family. The life saving medicine arrived to save our daughter's life. Only 2 cases in all of the United States and they belonged to us. For each key player and event to occur in the exact order they did at the exact time that they did to save her life could have only been orchestatrated by God. We love to say that next to the birth of Christ, we have the greatest Christmas story. She may not have woken up or recovered on Christmas, but by New Year's she was making a new life.

Christmas is not just a time for gifts (although they are fun) but truly a time to remember...remember how lost we were and how very blessed we are to be found.

May you reflect on the new life of Christmas this holiday season.

The Ghost of Christmas Future to come...sorry for the delay...here in the foothills of the Cascades...if you want internet...you may have a satellite and when it snows and there is ice...that satellite may be covered and not receiving signals until it starts melting off and is safe enough for hubby to clear it :)