It was a simple afternoon.The boys and I sat on the kitchen floor and made peanut butter-birdseed pine cones... Christmas treats for the birds. After tying them with candy striped ribbon to the crepe myrtle trees by the driveway Boo requested a bike ride.
On that gray, cloudy afternoon we made our way down the hill -- the boys upon bike and trike, me on foot -- to the little church at the end of our street. There, the boys circled wide laps around the empty parking lot while I watched... and laughed... and answered questions.
As dusk began to close in we started our trek back up the hill toward home. I pointed out the neighbors' Christmas tree lights shining from cozy, lit homes. When we rounded the final curve to our own driveway the boys eagerly looked for our Christmas tree glowing through the front windows... and when they spotted it they shouted exclamations of excitement.
It was nearly dark when we stepped into the warm, dim house that was illuminated only by the lights of the tree, but I saw joy and Christmas wonder reflected in the eyes of my boys, my heart warmed, and I was blessed on that simple afternoon.
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It's ironic... I spend too much time and energy trying to create, trying to capture, a certain magical Christmas feeling, when in truth all that I really need to do is to be still, to notice, and to enjoy. What I learned on that December afternoon is that often in simplicity I'll find the greatest blessing.
On a night long ago simplicity was defined...
A poor, young couple from Nazareth.
A shelter for animals.
Lowly shepherds.
A feeding trough.
A seemingly powerless, helpless, humble baby.
Yet, at the same moments blessing was defined...
In the glow of a star that shined brightly on a holy, set apart, night, a night that seemed ordinary to most, the greatest blessing was born into simplicity. On that day in the City of David the Father set into motion events that would lead to His greatest gift to mankind... a Savior who is Christ the Lord.
An ordinary December afternoon reminded me that in simplicity I can find great blessing, most often at a time when I least expect. I imagine that the shepherds felt the same way.
And the angel said unto them, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." Luke 2:10-12
{Photo: Knotted fringe in the afternoon light.}
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