Sunday Afternoon Tea

Merry Christmas!

I wasn't sure I was going to write a Sunday Afternoon Tea post as Christmas Day resides on Sunday this year.  However, I have been pondering and well... you know how that goes.

Although there were a few times this Advent season that I was really depressed (and aren't we all from time to time?), I actually had a lovely Christmas time.  I am so glad I decorated and read my favorite Christmas books and listened to the music of the Season and watched some Christmas movies (serious and absolutely dorky) and made that decision to embrace everything I love about Christmas.

Even if what I love most (the people) are not with me.  Well, except hubby, of course. But there were friends, including many of you, who ministered to me and offered your friendship... and helped me find that joy.

The most important part of Christmas after all, is the fact Jesus is always with me.  How can I know Christianity is real?  Because I know the Person... the Christ... the Messiah.  I don't doubt Him any more than I would doubt the existence of a friend I've only met through exchanging letters or e-mails.  Peace is a Person.

I was recently involved in some kind of busy work (I think it was washing dishes in the hot, sudsy water with Mrs. Meyers Iowa Pine scent) when the thought suddenly came to me that Jesus has been with me during past Christmas seasons in two different ways... one as anchor and the other as plumb line.

During the seasons of Advent when the storms of circumstances were such that I thought I couldn't stand, when the winds of adversity almost blew me over... it was Jesus the Anchor who held me sturdy and provided strength.  While my thoughts were on the Baby... the one who had been that Child was my Strength.

Then there were the various Christmas seasons when all was so good I was practically giddy with excitement.  The lights seemed brighter and the music more lovely and people were all nice... even in line at the stores.

It was during those seasons of Advent when Jesus was my plumb line... keeping me steady and looking toward Due North, reminding me the season was about Him and not a jolly elf or baking Christmas cookies or the sparkle of a Christmas tree.

Most of my Advent seasons have found me in the middle of the bell shaped curve (sorry, I am surrounded by statisticians).  They were my Goldilocks seasons when my circumstances were neither too hot nor too cold but "just right".   Christmas was just... good.

How amazing that 2,000 years after His birth, death, and resurrection... He remains the central focus of our history... His story.  Jesus divided history and our calendar... Before Christ or Anno Domini (in the year of our Lord).

That's why Christmas is my favorite time of year... when it seems Heaven is closer to Earth.

May you all have a delightful Christmas and I'll see you next Sunday... "God willing and the creek don't rise".