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A calm Christmas

Audrey Carli

My family and I sat watching the Christmas lights twinkle and remarked on how calm and peaceful this year’s Christmas celebration was. The hectic pace of past years’ holidays didn’t happen this year. We dined in leisure as carols played in the background.

How did all this happen? How did we achieve calm when the rest of the world seemed to be racing against the clock from the end of November onward?

Our calm Christmas celebration came from having our family gather on the second weekend of January. The usual Christmas card writing and church festivities had all been enjoyed in December as usual, but we had allowed our family members the extra time after Christmas to finish their shopping, baking, tree trimming and gift-wrapping. There were other benefits as well.

In sending out Christmas cards, I was able to communicate genuine caring in a leisurely manner. Each family member received a message why he or she was God’s blessing to me. When I had finished the family notes, I wrote each friend and neighbour something specific, such as “Our picnic in May was special.” or “I heard that you’ve been ill. I’m glad that you’ve recovered!” For once, we had managed to go to our church’s Christmas choir production as well as the Christmas service. Since our family dinner would be later, my grown children were able to celebrate in their own homes or at their in-laws without feeling guilty about not being with us. Most of all, our calm and peaceful holiday season brought to mind the true meaning of the angels’ chorus: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom His favour rests” (Luke 2:14). We were able to celebrate God’s greatest gift to us, His Son, Jesus Christ.

Audrey Carli is a freelance writer from Iron River, Mich.

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Last modified December 11, 2000.

© 2000 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
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