Precious Penny

Well, our neighborhood decided to do luminaries for the second year in a row…all down our street…a mile long.

We planned, and put sand in white paper bags, we punched some of the bags with stars and snowflakes and the numbers "2016". We lighted tea lights up and down the street and afterwards, everyone gathered in my garage for cocoa and chips and biscotti.

What I will remember is Penny, a little 5 year old asking me for more cocoa and whether or not she could come in while I made it.  She set up a stool outside the garage door and said, "I'll sit right here while you make it." I said, "are you comfortable there or would you like to come in?" "I'll ask my dad". He said it's fine!. So in she came.

"Where is your Christmas Tree?"
"It's around the corner, go look for it."
"Ok…. Oh, it is very tiny. Tiny."
"Yes, I know it's tiny but I have a lot of them. Can you find how many I have? Go look." So she scampers away to look and starts counting.
"18. I think you have 18. "
"Well, I think you counted some twice don't you?" She's smiles. She's five. She's Penny. She's absolutely adorable. With a brother on the way. And two in the boot. Wow. What a family.

The Best Christmas Ever

For so many reasons, this is my best Christmas. I have been healed from a terrible fall and broken wrist which needed surgery and a metal plate. I didn't hurt my back or neck. I am not paralyzed. I can see the blessing of protection and constant care that my Father has provided each and every day. 

I mean, how many people injured in the middle of the forest get taken 

to a hospital miles away by 2 complete strangers? 

I did. 

Who gets to open their front door to a stranger and have that stranger offer 

to pray for their hand to be healed? 

I did. 

Who has a sweet French neighbor like Marie, a watercolor artist, who brings to the door, hot, homemade quiche,  stuffed artichokes with béchamel sauce, chicken pot pie, potato leek soup, salad Niciose, and ratatoulli because cooking with a cast isn't possible? 

I did.

Who gets stopped by a stranger walking in the park with encouraging words...

"I broke my wrist too. Don't worry. You'll heal. I did. Look my scar is barely visible."

I did. That happened to me. 

So here it is. My best Christmas ever. 

I can use my hand to make cards and banners and dinners and garland for parties.

Christmas Story

I was running in Sycamore Grove Park taking in the sight of beautiful ribbons of silver and grey bark, giant golden leaves and a clear path ahead of me. It was a gift of a moment, perfect. Then a thought crossed my mind…and I started to weep from a sudden deep understanding of the truth…because one year my mother gave me a torn skirt for Christmas. It still had the tags on it. Marked down 30% off because it was damaged. It made me feel worthless, only worth getting a damaged useless gift. I sobbed at Sycamore Park because suddenly I understood the truth.

My Christmas Story

Imagine...taking as long as you need, planning, thinking about, then buying THE perfect gift for the one you love and cherish. Uncompromisingly perfect. Fits the need. Fills the longing. Its giving will be so good, satisfy more than any other gift before. 

Imagine picking out the perfect box for what’s inside, laying out the wrapping paper, creasing and folding up the edges just right, pulling out the tape so it doesn’t wrinkle. Placing it so it can’t be seen. 

Imagine trying out different bows and ribbons until you land on an incredible combination of wrap and ribbon. Imagine putting all of yourself into every step. Looping one strand over the other so you form a graceful bow. Holding it out at arm’s length. Checking it out. Turning it over. Loving your work, your selection, your passion in creating, your insistence that it be just right, your mind’s eye vision of its reception in the hands of the one you love. It’s perfect. 

And then you sigh the sigh of accomplishment. 
And then you say, “There. It’s Finished.” 

And then it hits you. “It is finished!” cried out from the cross. Jesus. Gift of all gifts. Perfect in every way. Planned with passion from the beginning of time. Jesus who fits every need. Fills the longing of every aching, grasping heart. Jesus. God’s gift to us. It is finished. Jesus, the gift of all gifts.