Christmas Traditions by Melissa Jacobson
1 John 3:18-20 from the Message Bible
My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.
My grandparents on both sides of my family passed away either before I was born or when I was very little. I am incredibly blessed that I have had many “adopted” grandparents in my life to fill that role. By far the grandparents who made the biggest impression in my life were known to me as Mimi and Poppy. Mimi and Poppy were the parents of my brother’s ex-wife. Going to their house for holidays was such a treat for me because this family was so big, and my family was so small. It was such a change to celebrate in a house with so many people. Everything was different from what I was used to and that made it that much more exciting.
Sometimes, all the hustle and bustle and noise were a little overwhelming for me, but Poppy always knew when I needed some quiet time. He would have me climb onto his lap and tell me funny stories about my sister-in-law growing up.
Poppy had the most beautiful Christmas village set up every year. It was so huge they started setting it up in October. Each house had its special place and was surrounded with trees, snow, ice skating rinks, people shopping, and animals. I loved that village so much. I would sit on poppy’s lap, and we would make up stories about all the people and houses. I could not wait to have a Christmas village of my own!
As Poppy got older. it became harder and harder for him to put the village out, but his kids made sure that village was out every year…with each house in its special place.
The first Christmas after Poppy passed away, I cried as I put out my Christmas village. Tears of happiness and memories of a man who meant so much to me. A few years after he passed, I got a call telling me they were going through the old house and wondered if I would like one of the houses in the Christmas Village. That house has its own VERY special place in my village now and I am flooded with so many memories each time I look at it.
Let us pray,
Dear God,
Thank you for the special people who come into our lives like gifts from you. I am so grateful for my family. I pray that I always place their needs above my own, that I hold them as a high priority and that I never take them for granted. I pray that I would see them as you see them, and love them as you love them. Amen
