Advent - waiting and preparing for Christmas with hope

 This is a small "Village" that is actually one of the last things that Ken gifted to me.  He made a trip to Home Depot (I don't know exactly what he actually went for) and came home with this set.  I had never had a Christmas village and he decided that in 2019 I needed to have this set.  So it is one of the newer Christmas things that I display.  Since Ken's passing in 2020, this has taken on a different meaning for me.  I will continue to display this for many years to come.  My sister Julie had an amazing collection of "villages" and kept them on display year around.  One of her son-in-laws constructed special shelves to hold all of the different scenes.  After her death this year, her daughters each have parts of this village to display in their own homes now.  It is a great way to remember our loved ones and keep them close in these special ways during this season.

My tree is up and my Nativity is on display.  I have been playing Christmas music and doing some shopping.  But, if I am being truthful, it has been difficult to really feel in the "Christmas Mood" this year.  There is really no reason at all.  I have been doing the usual activities and have had many chances to see some very bold and busy Christmas light displays.  I have started wrapping  presents and shopping for those last minute stocking stuffers.  Still, it seems that I have been only 3/4 in the spirit of Christmas.  

Every week, I spend a day at Gwen's house.  The addition of this sweet little lady, Sunny, has made every visit more busy than usual.  Gwen always walks Sunny first thing in the morning, so I have also gotten a nice (sometimes chilly) walk with them.  The fresh air and exercise have helped to raise my spirits a bit.  And Christmas is on display at their house as well.  Any room that you sit down in, has a tree to capture your vision. The reflective lights and amazing views from their sunroom help to lift my spirits. 

Bing with Grace and Jimmy certainly helps, also.  I snapped this photo on "Red and Green Day" at school for Grace.  She was delighted to have a dress with "Red Roses" that she could wear on that day.  The kindergarten Christmas happiness is infectious.  Her favorite song is one that I taught her last year - The Twelve Days of Christmas - and she insists that we sing it ALL every time I see her!  This grandma certainly regrets that decision!

Jimmy is just in love with their Christmas tree.  They have (very smartly) put all unbreakable ornaments on the bottom of their tree and he has a few favorites that he always picks off of the tree.  I love when he hands me (his dads) saxophone ornament that I purchased oh so many years ago!  Maybe someday he will want to play the saxophone also! I snapped this photo (actually Jimmy was trying to take the picture) on my cell phone and Jimmy just laughed and laughed when I showed him the picture.  It was certainly random but I love it so much!  Jimmy is VERY TALL for 18 months and can reach every counter in the house and all the doorknobs.  It's an adventure every time I am with him!  They have a kid's nativity set and after the third or fourth time he handed me the manger with baby Jesus, I got him to say Jesus - or at least his version of it!  For the rest of the day, he would run to the nativity and point out the small figure and yell (loudly) Jesus!  So I guess my job as Grandma was done for that day!

This past week was especially difficult since there were two deaths that impacted many people I love.  The sudden diagnosis and death of a 41 year old Pastor's wife and the unexpected death of a 72 year old women who had struggled for years with various types of cancer are both devastating during this holiday season.  I knew both of these women personally and have talked and cried with friends and family over the last days.   Damian McCrink, the pastor who lost his wife this week, has a special place in my families heart.  He married Doug and Susie and he also did the funeral for our sweet baby Lucas.  All week, the words of my own blog from that time in 2014 kept coming back to me.  It was Damian's words that I have been praying back to him this week.  You can read my entire blog From joy to sorrow to hope by clicking this link.  I want to share just a bit from that blog....

Susie had chosen Psalm 56:8 for the service... "You have seen me tossing and turning through the night. You have collected all my tears and preserved them in a bottle!  You have recorded every one in your book."   Pastor Damian reminded us all that Jesus is with us in our sorrow.  And he said "Jesus will need a very big bottle after this event!"   Damian went on to remind us that God is not the author of these terrible events.  Death entered the world through the fall in the garden of Eden.  Damian reminded us that those that believe in Jesus will see our loved ones again and we will be with them one day.  And there is the hope.   

And I speak these words, now, back to Damian and all who loved Nancy so much.  And I speak these words to Christine's family and friends. And to all who are struggling with the lose of a loved one.  Just as it was in 2014, I go from joy to sorrow to hope.  I am so grateful that all of these emotions are okay with Jesus.  He gets it - he understands.  And for today, that is enough for me.  

Jesus, thank you for understanding.  You know when we are feeling sad, lonely or depressed.  You feel the depth of our emotions with us.  Holy Spirit, you comfort us when we cry and when we rage with anger at the situations that we can not understand.  Jesus you do collect those tears and give us reminders of your plans for us.  Be with all those who mourn, this week especially be with Damian and his children and his family and all of Christine's family.  Remind us all of the hope in Jesus!  Amen