When I look back at my childhood and recall the passing of seasons – the peach trees blooming in spring, the waving grass of the hay meadows in summer and the changing colors of the trees in autumn – I miss the closeness of winter most of all and the exhilaration of the cold night air and the welcoming warmth of my mother’s kitchen.
Coming in from doing our chores out of the deepening twilight and into the bright glowing warmth of that familiar kitchen was such a comfort and a joy.
Little did I know how precious those simple moments would become with the passing of years. Even now, I can recall the laughter and happiness my family shared during those long ago days. As the years move on, I realize those days were all too short and life has flown by so quickly.
Living is easy in a routine. The days knitted together, one following the next in a steady, comfortable rhythm. That’s the most precious part of my childhood – memories of those routine days when nothing really special, important or terrible happened. Those were the best days of all, precious gems strung together. Those are the kind of days that make a wonderful life, one worth remembering, one worth living.
These were the kind of lives my dad and mom lived, my aunts and uncles and my grandma. They lived each day the best they could without the angst and turmoil we see today. They weren’t concerned about being noticed or recognized; they noticed the people around them and recognized the needs of others. They made their lives about trying to make things better for their families and their neighbors.
This is the time of year we watch our favorite holiday movie, “It’s A Wonderful Life.” This Frank Capra classic was a flop at the box office when it debuted, but years later it became the popular Christmas tradition it is today.
When you think about it, this perfectly reflects how most people view others’ lives. If someone isn’t very important or doesn’t do anything noteworthy, we feel sorry for them or somehow feel their life is “less than.” But our opinion isn’t or shouldn’t be our measuring stick for worthiness. As in the beloved film, sometimes our lives don’t turn out the way we’d hoped or even dreamed, but even then, if we consider how we’ve affected our part of the world, no matter how small, we realize we have indeed had a wonderful life.
My grandma never traveled, never owned a car, never had a bank account or read much, (except in her Bible), but she impacted more lives for the good than dozens of well-known, wealthy people I know.
This Christmas season, don’t measure your holiday celebrations, traditions, decorations, parties or gifts by looking around. If you want to discover the true measure of the season, look up. Celebrating God’s gift to the world is what it’s all about and living a quiet yet good life is our greatest gift to Him.
Concentrate on enjoying this season as simply and as authentically as you can and I am almost positive that you’ll look back on this time together as one of your favorite memories. Building those precious times into your children’s and grandchildren’s hearts will pay huge dividends in the future. Don’t be afraid to do less this year, instead of more – it’s not what you do, it’s the spirit you do it in.
Be thankful. Be generous. And enjoy this Christmas season, not just endure it.
Christmas Cocoa
This is a family recipe we have used for 40 years.
1 8-quart package of instant milk
1 16-oz. box instant chocolate milk mix
1 6-oz. jar powdered creamer
1 1-lb. box powdered sugar
½ to 2/3 cup cocoa
1 cup crushed peppermint candies
Mix ingredients thoroughly and store in airtight container. Use two to three heaping teaspoons of mix to a cup of boiling water to make a yummy hot cocoa drink.
