Christmas lessons from an almost two year old...

Yesterday was one of those "almost" warm days with the temperatures in the high 30's.  So Grace and I went outside for some much needed fresh air and sunshine.  We took a long walk around their subdivision (about a mile).  Grace happily riding in the stroller and commenting on every bird that we saw.  When we got back to their house, I let Grace "play" in the front yard.  She did not want to go inside, even though her cheeks were quite rosy and I knew that she had to be getting cold.  No matter the weather, Grace loves it outside. This is a good thing since both her mom and dad spend hours outdoors!

Grace and I had played inside for most of the day.  She has her own Nativity set and we spent some time looking at each figure and talking about the Christmas story. 

Every time I tried to remove the "unusual" figure from the scene, Grace would protest and immediately return the ducky back right in front of baby Jesus.  I found it interesting that she always used the baby sign for bird when we were talking about the angel!  It took this grandma several minutes to figure out that she was thinking that if it has wings, it must be a bird!  Really not such a bad thought.  After I realized what she was saying, I told her it was not a bird, it was an angel!  Poor Grace then decided I would be happier if she called the angel a butterfly and she switched to that sign! Gotta love baby sign.  At least she quit saying "cheep, cheep" for the angel!

 Later, we were looking at their Christmas tree.  Doug and Susie have thoughtfully put many unbreakable ornaments near the bottom of the tree so that Grace can look at them.  She is very gentle and will spend a long time looking at each ornament and also the lights which "twinkle" on and off.  I didn't notice the picture of Lucas in the background when I took this picture.  I so love that Lucas is part of our family Christmas.

Watching Grace with the Christmas tree and thinking back on our day together gave me time to reflect on what I had learned that day from Grace.  Almost any parent will tell you that they are always learning things from their children.  This Grandma is no exception to that!

First - I learned that everyone needs some fresh air and sunshine.  Even if it seems cold, it is good to get out and breathe in the crisp air.  You don't need to rush inside either!  There just might be a birdy flying by or a car passing that you need to see.  It is good to slow down.

Second -  I learned that sometimes you have to actually touch something to know what it is.  Grace needed to touch those ornaments - to feel the beard on the nutcracker ornament - to feel the glitter around the ball - to pretend to blow into the saxophone.   Yes, sometimes looking without touching just doesn't cut it!

Third - And most importantly, I was reminded that EVERYONE has a place at the manger.  Jesus welcomes ALL to come and adore him.  That little rubber ducky that Grace insisted belonged with her Nativity was a great reminder for me.  It doesn't matter who you are, what you look like, what your family is like, you are always invited into the Christmas story.  That is one of the greatest wonders of Christmas.  Jesus came as a baby for ALL humanity.  Not just for the Jews, and not just for those of us already kneeling before him.  What a tremendous gift.  The best gift ever!

Jesus, thank you so much for giving up your place in heaven to walk with us here on earth. Help us to all approach Christmas with the wonder of a toddler.  Help us slow down and breathe in your love.  Give us the grace to use all of our senses - to look, touch, listen, to taste each part of the holiday.  Remind us to be thoughtful in our responses to others, who might be seeing in ways that are different than ours.  Holy Spirit, provide those open doors for everyone to enter into the gift of Christmas.  Jesus, keep our hearts open to every little ducky that might want a place at your manger.  Amen