A tree in our neighborhood. For 11 months of the year, it is ugly. But in December?
You might think that this post is a tad premature, but there is a reason: I want to celebrate Christ's birth, listen to music, decorate with every bulb and garland I can find, and remember every Christmas possible. Christmas cannot wait and neither can I.
Photo taken from our hotel balcony on December 4, 2016 in Chicago
Waiting for Christmas is and has always been the most intense, insane experience of anticipation of all the year.
Standing in front of the tree and being mesmerized by the lights is the disco ball of the season. Shaking the presents and guessing their contents is always be part of the game. The small train around the base wears itself out by the Big Day, only too happy to be packed away for next year’s new batteries and another chance to whistle.
(That was a few years ago, when I turned 60 years old. Then my granddaughters informed me then that I have to move away from the tree. It was their time to do the dancing.)
That leaves me with the other delights: baking some, fixing meals, cuddling a baby, and moving furniture around to accommodate our grandson Benjamin and his almost 1 year old baby brother James. (:()
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| James at 6 months, June 22, 2017 |
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| Benjamin's 5th birthday, June 26, 2017 |
Christmas starts as a spark of joy, and then fills me all up. Christmas is here! Christ came into the world as a human, to experience the human pain and suffering. Christ was crucified, resurrected, and ascended into heaven. Christ dwells within me daily, reminding me that I am part of His family.
I am waiting for Christmas, slightly removed from the tree’s perimeter to allow tween girls and a five year-old in pajamas to enter into the thrall of the tree.
The spark is there and starting to burst into the “Hallelujah Chorus”!
From YouTube
Do you get that spark? Are the memories of Christmas both looking back and being in the present? Are you still dancing? Do you have to push the kids and grandkids out of the way?
This a re-post of 2010. I liked it, and juggled some words about to post it again.
This post was five years ago and now our babies are now teenagers with braces. Baby Benjamin is now 5.5 years old (the 1/2 is very important to him). His brother James/Jaimie is 11 months old, with 3 teeth.
This 2017 and all our own babies and theirs will be here, gathered around our tree. We'll laugh, listen to Christmas songs, and rejoice that we get to share one more Christmas together.
Why is this post going up in early November, you may ask. Last Christmas my husband's family went on a cruise because Mom Kane had died in February and none of us wanted to be home, without her.
It wasn't Christmas for any of us, we acknowledged it then and now. This year we will be together, without her physically, but with her love.
So, while my kids will be here for a short time in December and not on Christmas Day, we will dance up a storm.
This a re-post of 2010. I liked it, and juggled some words about to post it again.
This post was five years ago and now our babies are now teenagers with braces. Baby Benjamin is now 5.5 years old (the 1/2 is very important to him). His brother James/Jaimie is 11 months old, with 3 teeth.
This 2017 and all our own babies and theirs will be here, gathered around our tree. We'll laugh, listen to Christmas songs, and rejoice that we get to share one more Christmas together.
Why is this post going up in early November, you may ask. Last Christmas my husband's family went on a cruise because Mom Kane had died in February and none of us wanted to be home, without her.
It wasn't Christmas for any of us, we acknowledged it then and now. This year we will be together, without her physically, but with her love.
So, while my kids will be here for a short time in December and not on Christmas Day, we will dance up a storm.
Early or not, sure sounds like you are ready. Having everyone together will make it even better indeed.
ReplyDeleteChristmas music is playing, traditional music. A wreath is on the door. Our gr-son Benjamin (in Switzerland) is on a countdown (19 days) until they fly here. Stockings are out and curling ribbon is ready.
DeleteThe stores started celebrating last month, so why not?
ReplyDeleteYes, I get that spark. I love Christmas. Celebrating our Lord's birth, watching my wife open her gifts, the lights and music - it's all a blessing.
Tell your granddaughters you can all dance together.
Oh we will. Five year olds have that toddler dance while babies bounce up and down giggling. I will bounce and giggle too.
DeleteIt's never too early for Christmas..I just did my Christmas shopping on line yesterday...however, I will wait until after Remembrance Day to put up the deco's.
ReplyDeleteI remember one of your posts where you talked about your decorations and Miss Gracie with the Wee Little Man!
DeleteChristmas always comes a little too early for music teachers. It's not like you can wait until December to get your concert music ready.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're enjoying it.
Christmas songs in church are so difficult to play, since they are are sung for one month only. As much as I loved playing piano in church, these carols were hard!
DeleteDear Susan, I hope everyone in your family brings to Christmas the same joy and expectation you do. It's inspiring. For myself, Christmas is a quiet time. I go to my brother's home and enjoy his family of grown children, grand-children, and great grandchildren. Then I come home and listen to carols, turn off the lamps and simply gaze at the wonder of the tree which offers me such beauty and such memories of family and love throughout the years.
ReplyDeleteI remember my first Christmas in college. One of the nuns who was a gifted artist decorated a tree in the ad building foyer and it was grand and glorious! Peace now and ever.
What precious memories. Sitting in a darkened room and enjoying the tree is a wonderful way to worship.
DeleteI'm not such a big fan of Christmas these days. It comes, it goes, all the rush and hoo-hah of shopping, wrapping etc don't get done here anymore, there aren't any small children around now. I don't decorate a tree or my home, there's just nowhere to put a tree, although I do get out the small tree shaped ornaments and put them where the cat can't get to them.
ReplyDeleteMy wrapping is paper and tape, and maybe a bow. Days of fancy are gone. But the ornaments have memories I enjoy.
DeleteIt's never too early for Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI got my Christmas cards a short while ago, and am now getting my Christmas voice ready for the special songs the youngest grandchildren will be learning for their Christmas school plays.
It is a special time of year.
I enjoyed your post, thank you.
All the best Jan
How fun to have a grandma who is brushing up songs your gr-kids will be singing! Rejoice!
DeleteAnytime is the right time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. As is usually the case, I'm looking forward to Christmas because I'll be seeing my kids and grandkids. Wish it could be more often, but a couple times a year is better than none.
ReplyDeleteLee
Tossing It Out
certainly hear that! Any times I can grab will give me joy.
DeleteYour blog is very nice for sharing on this site.
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