A True Advent

I am filled with joy and my soul vibrates with exuberant hope, because of the Eternal my God. For He has dressed me with the garment of salvation, wrapped me with the robe of righteousness. It’s as though I’m dressed for my wedding day in the very best: a bridegroom’s garland and a bride’s jewels. (Isaiah 61: 10-11 The Voice)

Remembering five years ago. Grieving the loss of my dad months earlier. Grieving the final months with Alan after the doctor’s prognosis of six months to live. Grieving mother’s terminal condition. 

            Both Alan and mother were in hospice. Death hovered. Grief pricked me daily. 

            Christmas approached. Joyful songs played everywhere. Twinkling lights blinked happiness. Busy shoppers scurried from store to store. None of that really mattered to me. 

            I barely remember preparing at all. No tree. Few decorations in our home. But all around me, people prepared for the holiday. 

            During Advent, Christians anticipate the coming of Jesus. Candles are lit. Scriptures read. Days marked off on Advent calendars. 

            That year, Alan prepared to meet Jesus in a different way. Not in a Christmas play or candlelight service but face to face. 

            One day he said to me, “I wasn’t asleep but I saw Jesus. Like in a vision.”

            His surprising statement startled me. Never had he said anything like that. 

            “What was it like?”

            “He told me, ‘I am coming for you,’” Alan said. 

            I tried to absorb what he was telling me. It was too much.

            “Tell him not yet.” I said. I wasn’t ready for him to leave me. 

            Tears trickled from Alan’s eyes. “I see him every day.”

            As hard as it was to know Alan’s time was limited, his revelation comforted me in my sadness. He was at peace knowing he would be with Jesus. 

            Besides seeing Jesus, he kept seeing his aunt who had passed away. She spoke no words but smiled and motioned for him to cross the stream in front of her. 

            Each day, I pondered the visions he saw. My fact driven husband had never experienced anything like that before. His tears and joy when sharing the revelation confirmed the authenticity of it.

            When I met Alan, he wouldn’t even pray out loud with other people. Gradually, he began sharing his faith as we went on mission trips. His prayers at family gatherings went on and on as the food cooled. 

            However, most surprising to me was when he began sharing about Jesus during his last days. He talked to anyone who came to our home including friends, family and even the man who brought oxygen. Only God could have transformed a quiet, reserved man into a dying evangelist. 

            Before Christmas that year, Alan experienced a true Advent. He saw and heard from Jesus. A few weeks later, months short of his six months, he met Jesus face to face. 

            Though I still grieve, his anticipation and joy in going to heaven continues to give me peace and comfort. I see Advent differently now. What an incredible gift I received to see the love of God in Alan’s final steps to heaven. 

            Not everyone receives visions like Alan did, but we can all anticipate the coming of Jesus into our lives so we can let others know about him. Eventually, as Christians, we will one day meet him face to face. 

Lord, during this Advent season, help us anticipate the coming of Jesus and truly know him. Amen

            

            

The Special Angel Tree

Three granddaughters joined me in making my home festive. While Emily and Molly took care of the nativity sets, Ashlyn easily transferred bins of Christmas items from the garage into my house. 

            Within minutes, she carried the long tree box to the living room, took out the sections and assembled it. I couldn’t believe how quickly she got it together. Then she pulled branches up and down to get the tree into the correct shape. 

            After that, she strategically placed sparkly, silver balls all around the tree. As she picked up various ornaments, I shared memories of them with her. 

            The year my dad passed away mother and Alan were both ill so we didn’t put up a tree. The next Christmas after Alan and mother passed away, it was too painful to even think about decorating a tree. 

            However, the following year, I decided to buy a tree and decorate it with angels  in memory of those who had passed away. I looked for all kinds of silver or white angels along with balls, snowflakes and ribbons. Each year, I looked for more angels to add to my collection. The angel tree brings memories but often tears too.

            This time was different because I didn’t have to decorate alone. Ashlyn carefully added each silver and white decoration. She even placed the vintage angel on top. 

            “How did you get her to stay upright?” I asked. 

            Ashlyn smiled. “I just bent the branches.”

            Even though I tried and tried, the angel would never stand straight so every year I would give up and replace her with a ribbon. But Ashlyn easily finished the tree with the lovely angel gazing out from the top. 

            Every time I look at my beautiful tree, I think of Ashlyn and her quiet, meticulous manner. This year my angel tree is even more special because of her love in helping me remember.  

Father, thank you for those I love who have passed and for those who continue to love me. Amen

            

Unfamiliar Nativities

Before my granddaughters arrived, I cleared shelves in my family room and imagined the nativity sets that would soon fill them. Every year, I carefully place each one in a specific spot with every figure in a certain position around the manger.

            This year when Ashlyn, Emily and Molly came to spend the night, we decided to decorate my house. I looked forward to not carrying the bins of decorations into the house and not being alone as I went through memorable keepsakes. Their infectious enthusiasm put me into a holiday mood instead of feeling sad that I was alone. 

            As Molly and Emily unwrapped boxes of olive wood figures, I told them about purchasing the sets in Israel. When they took paper off ceramic figurines, I explained the set had been my parents’. Memories flowed from me to the girls as I remembered other Christmases. 

            While I dug through bins of decorations, the two younger girls took care of the numerous nativities from the United States and around the world. A tall church with a manger scene from Peru, a stone one from Kenya, homemade ones and a painted picture from Ashlyn. Some had moveable pieces and others were carved or formed into stationary scenes. Every one had a story and meant a lot to me. 

            When they finished, I looked at various scenes before me. The characters were the same but in different positions. Instead of my symmetrical arrangements, shepherds were grouped together at one side with animals among them. Wise men stood way back.  One nativity set had all of the figures far apart on the entire shelf. 

            At first, I thought we should change them. But on closer inspection, I realized I liked the new way. The girls carefully put every piece where it needed to be. Their interpretation gave me a new perspective.  

            Of course the sheep should be close to the shepherds instead of in front. The shepherds were probably talking about what they were seeing. Maybe deciding if they should get close and what to say to the young girl and man next to the baby. 

          Even though the Wise Men actually appeared a couple of years after Jesus’s birth, modern nativity sets include them. Perhaps they did stand far off in awe when they first saw Him. 

            Why did I think the shepherds and Wise Men should be exactly the same distance from Jesus? Why did it always have to be a certain way?  

            Not only did the girls get me into the holiday spirit but they gave me a fresh perspective of those who came to see the baby Jesus. Every time I look at my extensive display, I remember their excitement and am thankful I can continue to learn from them. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for grandchildren and for all they can teach. Amen