Thursday, December 21, 2023

 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life . John 3:16

Illustrated by Caroline Trimmer, age 6

This Christmas will be our first without our beloved “Bisnonna.” Ilva, as she was known by most, was Mark’s grandmother and Mason’s great-grandmother. We were blessed to have her with us for so many years, and for so many birthdays, holidays and special occasions. She passed away in July at 100 years old.

Ilva was an amazing woman who was born in the hills of Tuscany, Italy, in 1923. While her family was very happy and loving, they didn’t have much in the way of material possessions.

My Bisnonna’s family didn’t have much money to give away at Christmas time. So instead of stockings she and her sister would put out their shoes as those “stockings.” For Christmas, she usually got oranges, which she was extremely thankful for. They usually ate apples and pears because they grew on trees nearby. The oranges were special because they didn’t grow on trees near their house and her parents had to go out and buy them with their money. That taught me to never take for granted my gifts at Christmas time, and to be grateful for what I got. And to be grateful for God’s gifts, which are all the things that aren’t in boxes.  (Mason Briganti)

The excitement and gratitude Ilva had for an orange reminds us that Christmas isn’t about Instagram-worthy unboxings or one-upping your neighbors.

It’s about God’s gifts, most notably the gift of his son to the world. It’s because of this gift that we know love, experience grief, live with God’s unending grace, and ultimately, have eternal life.

It is because of Jesus that we know we will once again see Bisnonna and so many others we’ve loved and lost.

Hopefully this Christmas season and throughout the coming year, we have gratitude for all of God’s gifts, big and small – from Jesus to things as simple as oranges.

Dear God, in this world and in this time when there is so much we could worry about, help us to keep our eyes and our hearts on you. Help our world to see you in everything, so that we are reminded to be grateful for all you provide us. Please watch over those in the midst of conflict and provide them peace and comfort. Amen.

Heather Briganti and Mason Briganti, sixth grade student