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Christmas 2020 - Unexpected Grace

Our Christmas traditions have been changed and perfected through the years.  They have seen us through being a family with young children, spending the entire Christmas day visiting our families in a variety of places. That was when we were young and had tons of energy!

 As we began to put our own roots down, we spent more time at home but balanced huge meals between sweet hubby's side of the family as well as time with my side of the family. We would overload on food and family, still trying to cram it all into one day.

Finally, a Christmas compromise was made which fit us well for many years. Christmas Eve was spent with sweet hubby's family - a large, loud and fun gathering and Christmas Night, I cooked dinner for my side of the family, which is much smaller, but filled with cozy fellowship.

This Christmas, due to sickness on both sides of our families, the Christmas gatherings were cancelled. No large annual fellowship with all the in-laws, no warm, intimate dinner with mine. Dreading the thought of an empty nest Christmas, I simply prayed for God's grace to fill our heart and home and for the opportunity to share that love at Christmas with whoever God would bring in for us.  Up until a few days before Christmas, our plans changed daily.  One son would not be in town until the week of Christmas, one son could come the week before Christmas, more COVID related changes kept coming. One of my husband's family was put into the hospital, attempts to gather the family fell through. 



Realizing Christmas is all about the gift of our Lord and His goodness kept my heart open and ready to share Christmas with whoever was available to celebrate with us.  Just days before Christmas, we learned all three of our sons would be able to be with us! What a gift! We usually celebrate together in December, but rarely on Christmas. 



My dear daughter in love, brought up the idea of serving a charcuterie board for Christmas Eve dinner. She's crafty like that and prepared a delicious spread of meats, cheeses and fruits which turned out to be a perfect meal. Christmas Day, we gathered again for a hearty breakfast and then for Christmas Night, a hearty meal was enjoyed by us all. 





Christmas 2020 was a season like no other. But the bonds of grace, love and peace which are true gifts from God our Father that see us through the challenges we may face. As we go into 2021 - we don't know what is ahead, but I am thankful we can trust God to be with us and fill our hearts with exactly what we need. May that Christmas spirit, stay alive all year long. 





As the Christmas Days fly by, I realize that truly no gift compares to the gift of having family together. 
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