What Were They Thinking?

 What were they thinking?

As we celebrate Christmas again this year, I am taken back in my mind to those glorious Christmas days of my childhood. The handpicked tree from out in the wild, us kids surrounded by our gifts on the floor of that old, drafty farmhouse, the massive spread of food prepared by hand in a house with no running water, and the thrill of seeing the grandparents arrive for the festivities. We had so little then, and yet so much. We had chores to do before breakfast, a wonderful morning filled with the excitement of new toys and gadgets, the mouthwatering aroma of ham baking, and countless side dishes and desserts filling the counters and the stove. 

But best of all, we had family. We were close. Seeing the grandparents was a special treat to us kids, and for the next few weeks, we would visit cousins and friends and expound on every special gift we had received. It wasn't a lot, but it was a lot to us. Christmas was so special then, filled with all the mysterious magic that made the holiday so special.

Today, many of us face Christmas with some regrets. Many are filled with grief at the passing of loved ones, and the memories of so many who have gone on before us. It seems like the magic of Christmas has passed away with them, and the holiday is no longer as special to us.

And yet... I wonder about that. Is that special feeling really gone, or is it just missing in us? Look at the little children. Watch their eyes, their faces, and the excitement in their motions. The bubbly exuberance and the glorious feeling that Christmas morning brings to them. If you look closely, you'll see what you're missing. You'll find what you felt so many years ago. The magic is still here, and to these kids, the holiday is still as wonderful and exciting as it was for us back then. They aren't pulled down by the losses and struggles that we are, and they allow Christmas to shine in their hearts and lives just as we did back then.

So I began to wonder something else. Did our parents and grandparents back then struggle with the same things we do? They surely had lost loved ones too. They were missing people that they once celebrated the holidays with, just as we are today. They were surely longing for days gone by, when they celebrated with parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins who were no longer with them. Was Christmas difficult for them?

So I have to ask: What were they thinking? Did they continue to celebrate, even though they were saddened and burdened? Did they keep the holidays fresh and lively for us kids, and never speak about their hurts? If they did, I wish they were still here so I could thank them. Their efforts to continue with Christmas made amazing, powerful, life-changing memories for us kids. I hope they know it was worth the sacrifice.

Which brings me to my point. Today, many of us facing those discouragements may feel that the holidays are just not worth it. We might play it down, and celebrate less. But we need to stop and look at the children, and the world around us. We can still let Christmas work its magic. The glorious message of love and family can still touch lives, and lay a glowing foundation for a lifetime of memories. 

I hope we all can still bring the light of Christmas to those who are looking for it. Make Christmas wonderful, even if you don't feel like to so much. Let's give new generations the gift we received so many years ago. The gift of love. The gift of family. And that wonderful magic of Christmas.