Monday, December 18, 2023

Now if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience. Romans 8:25

Illustrated by Natalie Guy, age 12

Every year, I eagerly wait for Christmas and the special treat I get every Christmas morning. When I was about two or three years old, the thing I wanted most for Christmas was a pink cupcake from Santa Claus. My Mom and Dad said that it was hard for Santa to find pink frosting around this time.

On Christmas morning every year I go downstairs to see a pink cupcake standing next to my presents. My sister gets one, too. It’s normally one of the first things I look at and dig into. When I was young it used to get all over me, and there would be pink frosting marks on random places.

I have been getting pink cupcakes from Santa Claus for about 12 years now, and I never get tired of them. It’s a tradition that is unlike anyone else’s I’ve heard of and one of my favorites. Seeing the pink cupcake every Christmas morning reminds me of how long I’ve waited and how fast I’ve grown since getting one for the first time. It gives me joy to know that even though I’ve changed, the traditions and friends and family haven’t.

Even though I do love my pink cupcakes, they aren’t the only tradition I wait for every year. I love spending time with my family and friends, baking Christmas treats, buying gifts, singing songs, watching movies like White Christmas, and decorating. The whole season brings me joy, peace, light, and hope.

Although a lot of things change and Christmas may feel different as I grow, the love and peace of Jesus Christ always stays, just like my pink cupcake. The difference is that I don’t have to eagerly wait for Jesus each year like I do my cupcake, because Jesus is always there and brings me joy every day. I do not have to be afraid of anything because Jesus is always by my side, right next to me.

Dear Lord, thank you for the ongoing traditions that bring us joy during the holiday season. Please help us to remember that even if things might feel different, your love is still the same. Let us cherish the change and your presence. Help us to be grateful and help others during the holiday season. Please spread your joy among us all. Amen

Caroline Guy, High School Sophomore