Psalm 77:11
I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
Call us Mr. and Mrs. Scrooge, but for the last two Christmases, my husband, Danny, and I have neglected to put up a tree. Sure, we faithfully hang Advent calendars, place the Nativity scene in its usual corner and the Advent wreath on the table, hang up the stockings, and display our two garlands of greenery: one adorns our mantelpiece; the other is suspended from the ceiling between the dining area and the kitchen. (The latter, unfortunately, has gone missing from our Christmas stash in the garage. We are at a loss as to what has become of it, so resign ourselves to its absence.)
But, no tree. Because, we reason, as our children are grown and don't particularly care about one, and our granddaughter, Virginia Rose, is too young to appreciate or remember a Christmas tree, why go to all that trouble? This year, though, as Virginia turned four last July, we know she will be so excited about the sparkly lights and decorations, we actually can't wait to put it up!
As we celebrated Thanksgiving with family the Saturday before, we plan to have Virginia over Thanksgiving Day so she can help decorate the Christmas tree. I purposely select ornaments which haven't adorned our tree in forever, but which are unbreakable, for Virginia to place on the lower limbs which are easily within her reach. She does a great job!
She is so proud of herself!
I notice when Virginia finishes her task, her eyes are darting around the rest of the living room, taking in all the Christmas displays. As she heads for the kitchen where her Papa is fixing a mini-Thanksgiving lunch, Virginia stops dead in her tracks. She points to the ceiling where last year's garland should be hanging.
"Where's that one?" Virginia asks. Danny and I are dumbfounded! That was a year ago! She was only three! How does she possibly remember that?
Still reeling with the shock of Virginia's amazing memory, we explain why the garland isn't there and assure her we will continue looking for it. And, in that brief moment, it dawns on me. Had we taken the time to put up the Christmas tree last year, Virginia would have appreciated and recalled it so much more than we realized.
And, that memory would be indelibly burned in her mind's eye . . .
~
What is your earliest childhood memory?
Prayer: Father, let us remember your deeds and your miracles of long ago. Seal them not just in our minds, but in our hearts. As we traverse this season of Advent, may we reflect both upon the birth of Your Son, Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior, and upon Your promise that He will come again in glory. In Jesus' precious name, we pray. Amen.
little Virginia Rose is really a rose! She seems to be so sharp! All my childhood memories revolve around my mom. :)
ReplyDelete-Portia
She is a rose, I agree, Portia! :) Most of my memories revolve around my mother, too.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Virginia is adorable. Our grandson was here for a visit and helped us put up our tree this year. Soooo much fun! My earliest Christmas memories always include church services, and the pink lighted, silver ornament, and tinsel Christmas tree in our living room.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Deb! I think she's pretty cute, too. How old is your grandson? I bet he loved every minute of decoration!
DeleteLove your earliest Christmas memories, my friend!
Love and blessings!
I agree with Deb - Virginia is adorable! There's nothing quite like seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child! Last year my hubby and I finally broke down and got an artificial tree. Our reasons being 1) the year before we were evacuated for a wildfire and were afraid of anything that could ignite, and 2) we were going to be gone awhile at the holidays. I have to admit, it looks so real and beautiful that I don't miss the real thing.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite childhood memories about decorating our tree was the tinsel and this white stuff we draped on the tree to look like snow. Well, everyone had their individual "tinsel style." I carefully placed each strand in just the right spot. My brother tossed whole clumps at the branches. My sister, quite a bit younger, tried to chew on it. The "snow" was a mess. You'd pull it off in strands and drape it on the tree. All I can remember about that was my mom continually admonishing us not to touch it or get near it because it was made out of some sort of fiberglass material. She had cuts on her hands for a month afterward!! (Can you even imagine how flammable that must have been?!)
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. I just happen to believe that his name is Jesus, the One who gave the best gift of all!!
GOD BLESS!
Oh, Sharon, what a marvelous memory of Christmas you've shared here! I remember tinsel, too, and how carefully my mother would place it on the tree.
DeleteWe, too, have an artificial tree and, except for missing the pine scent, it is a lot easier to deal with.
I'm making sure my little granddaughter knows the reason for the season, Sharon. Jesus is the greatest, grandest gift of all!
Love and blessings!
our grandson is 8 and still wanted to help Mamaw put up the tree this year the day after Thanksgiving. How much longer is anyone's guess. Even though our girls are out of the house we still put up a tree because we both like the ambiance. No real ones any more although the scent of pine is my most favorite scent. My earliest memory is when i would come downstairs and the place had been transformed from nothing when I went to bed to full blown tree, train, lights, etc.
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by my "home" martha.
I'm so glad I stopped by, Bill! I've seen your comments on others' posts and I thought, "why not check it out?"
DeleteAnd, wow! What a memory that is to have EVERYTHING out on Christmas Day! I'll bet your folks were awfully tired that morning.:) My mother's family did the exact same thing when she was growing up. Always a surprise!
Love and blessings!
What a meaningful post, Martha. Christmas is full of possibilities, if we can turn from the commercialization of it...so many memories are made at this time of year.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, your tree is beautiful!
I'm not surprised that Virginia has memories from age 3--I have some vague ones from when I was nearly 3.
My earliest memories, let's see: some come from church and others come from trips to a specialist at a university hospital. I'm choosing to focus on the church memories.
Love and blessings!
Kim, I can certainly understand why you would want to focus on the church memories as they are sources of comfort and affirmation.
DeleteChristmas time, and the season of Advent, truly fill our hearts with joyful expectation of the coming of our Savior. I do so dislike the commercialism of this season, but understand that every business which wishes to stay alive and employ others must take advantage of our desire to give those we love those special gifts. I always try to remember in the giving of gifts, that God gave us the ultimate gift in Christ Jesus, and we are only a dim mirror reflecting such sacrificial love.
Love and blessings!
Ah memories - remembering old and creating new . . . and I was dreading it all as I recently lost my last family member, Mom who'd been physically and mentally ill for so long. I could not get help for her, nor work, nor take my own health seriouslt and with grief of her illness and passing, I feared this amazing time and i was wrong! The more i prepare for the season, the more memories, good ones, flood my soul and heal me! New memories made! Jesus is the reason for this season and He is with us! Great post!
ReplyDeleteOh, Martha, I'm so sorry to hear of your mother's passing, but rejoice with you that this season is flooding you with beautiful memories. Oh, what a gift from God! Take it, run with it, let it pour into your very soul!
DeleteAnd, yes, Jesus is the reason for the season; He is always with us!
Love and blessings!
Such a cute post and lovely pictures Martha, they make me want to come there and become like Virginia staring at them with starry eyes, make wishes and believe in miracles that are all around me!
ReplyDeleteMy earliest childhood memories are of me playing with my nanny, trying to cook with tit bits of cookies for hours together, draping my mother's duppatta as a saree around me and try to ape her in mirror... oh the list is too long... I guess I should write a post on this.
You just triggered lot of memories with this one question :)
Hugs <3
You should write a memory post, Privy! They only began to intrigue my imagination before you decided you had said enough. :)
DeleteI can't begin to tell you how much being around Virginia has enlightened my perspective on life and God's love. She is a gift from Heaven, and I enjoy every moment spent with her. Feeling so blessed!
Love and blessings!
Most my memories of childhood Christmas is not good due to my Dad being a drunk. Yet all is not lost for I had an aunt and uncle who brought some light into a dark time for me. I will forever be thankful for them. And I determined to make my children Christmas different, full of good memories, now I get to do it with my Grandchildren, they make it fun. I too am amazed how much they remember from the last Christmas. I have a little nativity, sturdy and not too easily broke that they love to play with and I love listening to them talking about baby Jesus and the shepherds while they play. They make up for all the bad memories I have tucked in my memories band that have healed and only brought out to help others who struggle with bad memories. Grateful God does not waste a thing from our life. Your grand daughter is so cute.
ReplyDeleteBetty, I'm so sorry to hear that your childhood was a rough one, but you certainly have the right attitude in accepting that "God does not waste a thing from our life." We are constantly being given opportunities to learn and grow, and to lean on Him. So glad you can now enjoy Christmas with your grandchildren - I'm sure you'll agree with me that they are Heaven's special blessings! Thank you, too, for your sweet comment about Virginia.
DeleteLove and blessings!
A lovely post. Most of my earliest Christmas memories are helped along with the home movies my dad insisted on shooting while they were in progress. I am so thankful he did now that I am older. I wish I had the money to have had them preserved because now they are starting to fade a bit. :( They are still vivid in my mind though and there they will live forever.
ReplyDeleteOh, how cool is this, Kathy??? I'd give anything to see the holidays of my childhood on film. As for preserving these, I'd ask around town and/or Google some searches for who could transfer these to a DVD at the cheapest rate. Maybe, someone you know has a machine which does this? It's worth a shot!
DeleteLove and blessings!
When I broke a leg. I was 3 years old.
ReplyDeleteNot fun, Nikky! How did it happen, my friend?
DeleteLove and blessings!