I have enjoyed visiting everyone blog's this holiday season. Everyone has wonderful decorations, decorated homes, wonderful food and memories to share. I was participating, I even joined Wanda's 25 days of Christmas and posted for 7 days in a row. With working a full time job and having family responsibilities...that is alot for me. But suddenly, I am not feeling "IT". You see I have lost 2 family members this year and a good friend and neighbor. I am in a very reflective state of mind now.
I look at photos of Christmas' past, last year and the year before, and now there will be empty spaces. If we had only known that it would be their last Christmas with us, would we have spent more time with them?
I know that the most precious gifts in life can NEVER be found underneath a tree, so how can I get excited shopping at a mall. It's ridiculous. It's meaningless.
I realize that I am blessed with gifts more precious than gold and silver. I called my 4 brothers that live in the area to invite them to my house on Christmas Eve, and they thanked me, and each told me they will make sure they are there. My father asked me to call his brother, my 91 year old uncle, to invite him, because he had such a good time last year, and my 82 year old father will do the driving. My mother-in-law assumed I would again be entertaining and she will be there.
Although I mourn the loved ones that are no longer with us this holiday season, I celebrate those that are still in my life.
In answer to the question, What is the purpose? family and friends is the purpose no matter what the religion or even lack of it.
So I am going to take a little break from blogging to spend time with family and friends. I will check in from time to time to visit everyone, and even post when I feel I have something to share. I wish everyone the best that the season brings.
I wanted to share with you the photo of the Italian paper mache nativity set. This has been in my family since I can remember. I took it with me when I got married, 28 years ago, and I'm glad I did, because I saved it from being destroyed. This is all that is left. One of these days I am going to purchase all of the missing pieces on ebay. But I still have Jesus, Mary and Joseph all in good shape.
Question...I was told only in the last couple of years that Jesus shouldn't 't be put in the manger until Christmas day, because he wasn't born yet. My family never did that. Did any of you?
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10 comments:
Enjoy your blogging break and time with family and friends.. I completely understand.
Merry Christmas,
Michelle
I happened on our blog today and I am glad I did. I understand how you feel. On Dec. 22 2007 my mother died unexpectedly. Five days later my daughter got married. I was in a fog most of Christmas and during the wedding. This year my family is trying to figure our what we do now. We have celebrated Christmas the same way my entire life. Whatever the day brings I know the love of my Savior will get me through. I hope you call on him also to bring you joy and renewal this wonderful season. Merry Christmas.
I think everyone stops to think about the people missing in our life at Christmas. Sometimes I like to look at Christmas in the past pictures, but other times I find it so hard to do that! We had a French neighbor who said that in France the baby Jesus does not go into the manger until Christmas morning so all the children look forward to getting up in the morning to find him. It makes sense to me, but I like to keep him with his Mother so I don't do it!
Connie, you are oh so right. You go and spend every second with your family. That's what we'll all be doing, or should be. I'm missing some family at the holidays, too. Time marches on and nothing stays the same - except the love of God to send His Son to us. Enjoy!
Very moving post. It is good to remember that friends and family are more important than the hustle, bustle, shopping nonsense. Enjoy your blogging break and your friends and family this holiday season.
Dear friend, yes, friends and family matter most.
haven't been blogging for a while, there's quite a lot on my plate. I'm asking you to visit me though, I have a poll going on and your input would be great.
Thank you so much and Merry Christmas
Jeannie
Hello Sweetie,Just drop by to wish you Merry,I hope you enjoy your break.Hugs Marie Antionette
i'm so sorry for your loss.
i can very well relate to the sorrow you must be feeling.
I lost two friends and a nephew this year.They will be missed.Its hard to know what to say to people who lost loved ones,and really hard right here at Christmas.
but
I do know they would want us to remember them of course and remember we are here to celebrate the birth of Christ.If you need anything please let me know.May God bless you,Marie Antionette
What a lovely family treasure, Connie. We would put the baby in at the time that the nativity was set up. But we didn't put the wise men in until later in January. My mother was very strict about that little rule.
Happy Holidays!
I certainly understand the melancholy. There'll always be a void for those who have gone on. Glad you got to have family around.
I never did get into IT this year. I'd hoped trying to make myself decorate and post pictures would bring IT on, but it didn't. And obviously, I didn't make it very far decorating and posting, either. We did have family here. Twice. Both sides. And that was all that really mattered.
Baby Jesus goes in at the beginning around here.
Don't stay away too long. It's too hard to get back in the blogging habit. I'm proof of that.
Wanda
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