Christmas Eve!! It is here with all of its magic and wonder. Its lights and colorful decorations, oh yes it’s here. It’s here with all of the presents bought and wrapped, with the Christmas music playing and the Christmas movies we watch. Smells of Christmas baking and Christmas scented candles All of the things that makes Christmas ‘Christmas’ are here.
But oh is it different!
My mother made Christmas magical for our family, as her Mom and Dad did for theirs. Traditions have been made and kept, but altered. I continued many, most, okay, probably all of ours in one way or another. As our families grew we all started to make new ones, while keeping the old in our hearts. And today, Christmas Eve, is when it starts.
But oh is it different!
2020, that’s all I need to say.
For our family it has held some of the greatest joy a year could bring. It has also held challenges of epic proportion. It has been emotional and hard. And it has been beautiful! Truly is has been the longest bipolar rollercoaster ride of a year. For someone who lives with anxiety, as I do, it has been quite. the. year.
Just like everything else in this year we are modifying our traditions. We’ve done this before for issues like surgeries, illnesses, and last year my Grandma spent about 20 days between the hospital and a rehab facility finally coming home on the 23rd. We adapt and find a way to bring the tradition wherever it needs to go. Traditions are important, family is important. But sometimes, they just have to change. A little alter here and a little tweek there, maybe not the whole thing, just a modification. And it’s going to be okay!
But oh is it different!
In just a couple hours Danny and I will head out to meet up with our children. We will be spending our first Christmas Eve with our Grandchildren. Y’all, I can’t even! It looks very different from years before, these babies wont be taken into large family events this year. Their Momma’s and Daddy’s don’t get to show them off to everyone in the family at the traditional dinners and gatherings. Those things truly make my heart sad, but I refuse to dwell on the bad. Today is for sweet fellowship with family, especially my Grandma. She hasn’t seen the babies much this year, these are her great, great grandchildren. She is so proud of them. So today she gets to enjoy them, those precious ones that we continue the traditions for, not just in pictures or on facebook, but for real.
We will end the day in our own homes. Danny and I haven’t even decided what tonight will look like. Dang this second act thing, I’m still getting used to it. As for my children with their children, they get to start feeling those feelings of being Santa, creating the magic however they choose to do it. They get to start their new traditions. Their night will end with putting together toys and perfectly placing things for each other and the babies. They will look into Ella and Tanners rooms, at those perfect little ones and be so excited about the morning. Their Christmas’s have forever been changed, all for the better.
Before I end this very long post today, I have to say how thankful I am to God for all of my blessings. I am so very thankful He sent His son for us. Christmas time always reminds me of John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have ever lasting life.” Jesus truly is the reason for the season. And although this world is changing, Jesus never does.
So remember, traditions are great, family is most important, change is okay, and God is good, all the time!
Christmas 2020 is going to be wonderful!
But oh is it different!!
Merry Christmas Friends! Much Love!
Jenni