What Is Important?

The last few days, actually the last couple of weeks, have been a mixture of  emotions, all of which circled around the most important holiday that we celebrate, Christmas.  Those emotions haven't all been associated with Christmas, however.  So instead of writing paragraphs or a lengthy explanation of the background of such emotions, here goes with my bulleted list.

• Love - love of family, love of traditions, love of food, love of gift giving, love of gift receiving, love of music, love of holidays
• Happiness - laughter of family members as they try to capture the most coveted purple gift; the screams of delight as Landon, Cooper, and Tessa find extra gifts in the sunroom and are so excited to unwrap them; watching the interaction of family on Christmas Eve; listening to Landon ask at 11:00 p.m. if it is time to get up and see what Santa brought him, Tessa, and Owen
• Wonder - the lights on the houses that we drive by, the decorations in the towns we drive through, the family members who always seem to gather on December 23-26 at various times for the annual back-home visit, the festive atmosphere in stores and with the shoppers (unless they are frantically searching for last minute gifts)  My favorite days of the Christmas season are those mentioned above because those are the times when everyone is at the happiest for Christmas
• Expectation - presents under the tree always creates expectation.  What is in the box?  Is the big box really a big gift or a box of tissue paper with a gift card tucked inside?  Is the long-awaited, yearned for gift going to be a reality?  Did anyone really listen to your hints about what you wanted for Christmas (Yes, Hilary, I know you did)  Children who really believe that Santa will bring them what they have asked for --and he did!
• Sadness - for loved ones who are not spending Christmas with us this year.  For memories of past Christmases that were so happy and that cannot be duplicated.
• Thankfulness - That Jesus was born in a manger, died on the cross for my sins, and is my Savior; that our family is able to be together (immediate and extended) and that we can provide food, a warm place to gather, and gifts for everyone
• Pride - in our daughters, that they have grown to be wonderful young women with good values, who can pull together to plan a wonderful Christmas Eve with new traditions, a new menu, and new activities while maintaining some of the traditions of the Siemens Christmas Eve. They are also developing new traditions with their own families and include us in their celebrations.
• Sorrow - when I listen to my mother tell me she wishes she were dead.  Two things make me sad: that she doesn't see any value in her life other than living in her house and with her material possessions and that my mother-in-law and father-in-law and father are all dead and treasured  not only celebrating Christmas with us but savored each and every moment they had with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  It hurt so much to hear her say that, especially on Christmas and especially when losing Mom Siemens is so fresh and painful.
• Contentment - we have been gone for eight of the last 12 days and I have missed being at home.  No, I don't love my house, like Mom does, and yell "MY HOUSE! MY HOUSE!" like Mom does when she returns to 1300 Barnes Drive,  but I enjoy our Christmas decor, just the feeling of being 'at home,' sleeping in my own bed with my own pillow (even though I did sleep for 10 hours at Hilary's house last week on Monday night), and not pulling clothes and other items out of the suitcase.  Typing this I am sitting in my recliner, looking at the two Christmas trees lit with white lights, looking at the candles in the windows, and gazing at the outdoor lights lining the fence along the sidewalk, all while snuggling under my snowman throw. And tomorrow we leave again for six nights!

What is important?

Family.
Love.
Happiness.
Wonder.
Contentment.
Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ whose birth we celebrated yesterday.