Yes, Kelly, It Is Christmas Here!

Yes, Kelly, It Is Christmas Here? This Christmas has been different for us! We packed our clothes, locked our house, and left our Christmas adorned home to come to San Diego, CA, for our grandson’s graduation and spend Christmas here with my daughter and her family! What a change! Palm trees instead of pine trees, temperatures in the 70s instead of the crisp 9 degrees we left a few days ago. I drank my coffee on their deck as the bright sun threatened to give me a bit of a suntan. Oh, how I enjoyed myself as we took a long walk. Seeing a beautiful view of the ocean brought feelings of the power and presence of its creator. It made me praise God for his beautiful creation and remember His power afresh. But my daughter asked me a question that I have been pondering. She wondered if it seemed like Christmas since I was California rather than Illinois. A beautiful Christmas tree stands in their living room, lovely garland drapes their mantle, and Christmas dinner is ready to prepare in their frig. Just like at home, sometimes Christmas seemed far off. But then again, it does every year until I settled down and got the real meaning of Christmas into this harried heart. As I turn to Luke 2 to again soak up the Christmas story, I find that I see no pine trees or snow or even palm trees draped in lights in this reading. I see no Christmas trees with gleaming ornaments or brightly wrapped gifts under the branches. Even though I love these things, I see only a babe wrapped in cloth lying in a feed trough. I rejoice with the shepherds as the glory of the Lord shone around them. Even as they were scared to death, the angel said, don’t be afraid because I bring you good news. My mind cannot imagine this. The angels were singing and praising God, saying, Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace to those whom his favor rest! Shortly we will go home to frigid Illinois, take down our Christmas decorations, and put them in boxes until next year, but I will keep Luke 2 always in my heart! Silent night Holy night Christ, the Savior is born! Christ, the Savior is born! Yes, Kelly, it is Christmas here! Sent from Mail for Windows 10