Advent Devotional: Saturday, December 7, 2024

December 7, 2024

“…I am bringing you good news of great joy for all people.” Luke 2:10

Illustrated by Maddie Ritchie (Age 10)

Growing up, wherever we lived, one or both sets of grandparents joined us for Christmas in NY, PA, TX or NC. It was easier for them to travel to us than to pile six of us into the station wagon. Christmas was a time of great joy, laughter and controlled chaos for all of us. We had our traditions: attending Christmas Eve service, being chosen to read the Luke scripture of the birth of Jesus to the family, opening one present before we went to bed, leaving cookies for Santa and not making noise until after 6AM Christmas morning.

When Gordon and I married in 1971 it was with great excitement that my Indiana Grandma Himes was going to spend our first Christmas with us, which she did for 8 more years. My grandfather had died the year before and we wanted it to be special for her. We did not have much money nor much furniture, but we did have a Christmas tree. We made garlands of popcorn and cranberries; I painted a collection of wooden paint by number ornaments and I bought a set of little flocked mice sitting on gum drops with my 20% discount at Belk. All was ready to continue our family traditions. Grandma came in, walked over to the tree and said, “who would want to put a rat on a Christmas tree?” And we laughed and laughed. Every Christmas there is a mouse, that is now 53 years old, tucked into our tree.

Heavenly Father, thank you for family and laughter and the gift of great joy you have given to all people. Remind us to share our stories and our faith with those who need our encouragement and our love.