Is everyone winding down by now? Too much food, too much “togetherness” (never!), and too much month left at the end of the money? And in case I have not already spoiled your mood, it’s almost time to gather together the receipts and other documentation that in hard, cold facts tell us just where our money went … or at least most of it. I don’t know about the rest of you, but we find ourselves tightening our belts and it is not because of weight loss! But, along with the stark realization that we should have more to show for it than we do, we can rest assuredly that Our Lord will remain faithful and see us through these economically tough times. One thing is for sure: we are not alone. Once again, we are reminded that presuming on the future is not a good thing, and perhaps that is a lesson some of us need to re-learn.

For other reasons, there’s a strange quietness all over the house today. It’s a couple of days after Christmas. There’s something about the interlude between Christmas and New Year’s that for me is hard to define – somewhere between sadness and gladness, interspersed with other melancholy and nostalgic yearnings. Kinda like Sundays at sunset, maybe? It isn’t that we did not have a glorious Christmas, celebrated with close family and friends; it’s just that I’m the kind of person who wants it all, I suppose. I longed to embrace ALL of my family at the same time in the flesh, yet I must learn to be content with long-distance “reach-out and touching” when that’s the best we can do. I’m sure you understand.

Why is it especially difficult on holidays, and on Christmas in particular, to shake these strange feelings? I think the answer lies in the past, most likely. Memories that are etched through the years, layer by layer, planted there by loved ones who are no longer with us to hug us, to send us a Christmas card, or to call us. Especially remembering Christmases past, as a child - when for those several hours life was all about good stuff;  It is both therapeutic and sad: Granny McFadden’s stockings hung from our simple mantel, each bulging with fruits and nuts and sticky, striped curly candy. There were always sparklers, which are still my favorite fireworks! We had no idea these stockings were not the latest and greatest in leg wear! There were no sequins, no Santas emblazoned on them, no glitz at all; just simple stockings borrowed from Granny McFadden’s chest of drawers, no doubt. Probably cotton or silky-looking rayon or whatever the going fabric was in the late 30s and early 40s. For that matter, there were no pretty stocking holders, either – only a good strong nail that never let us down. We only knew that they were simply wonderful and held treats that were not plentiful all year long; not much else really mattered, at least not to us country kids who didn’t realize we were deprived. And there was the Christmas tree, cedar most often; sometimes it was pine; but always it was fresh and cut from our farm. That may be where the Charlie Brown tree originated – deep in the piney woods of East Texas.

Our Christmas tree decorations were meager, and included simple colored balls, colorful construction paper chains, and popcorn garlands strung on Mama’s sewing thread. Seems I remember a string or two of large colored electric lights, added of course, after there was electricity wired into our house in about 1948. Tinsel icicles were the final adornment and my, how they would glisten! When they were carefully placed on the tree (individually, as much as possible), you knew the tree was finished! That completed our masterpiece! And, as I recall, we always tried to save them for the next Christmas, and what a chore that was. That was the kind of Mama I had – always the ultimate conservationist, born out of necessity. She had survived the Great Depression and the lessons learned never left her. Speaking of tinsel, I tend to think that icicles are almost extinct in today’s world of fashion baubles and beaded garlands and twinkling lights. I do wonder if they are still available. I know they were still around when Art and Andy were young, but I fear they have been replaced by other things. I will ask Google; he/she will tell me if they are, and if so, where to find them! Admittedly, they have lost some of their appeal to me, though. I’m not sure I have the patience today … I remember trying to get them to look neat, and not like they were just thrown on the tree! But I never quite mastered that technique.

During this “sad streak” which has kind of loomed over me throughout the holidays, I also have been jerked back to reality by reflecting on our blessings as a family. Though separated in miles, we are so close in spirit. While several of our friends are enduring heartbreaking illnesses and other debilitating circumstances, we are all enjoying good health. I’m particularly grateful for my health and am so thankful that God brought healing from my unexpected surgery in September. Every provision of life has been granted to me, and then some. So, while I truly do not mean to whine about not being with the rest of my family, I suppose it is ok to long for them? And I do. But, by comparison (which I know we should not go there) we are blessed beyond measure and we are so grateful. Joy to the World was written for a reason! So, lest you think all we/I did was mope around the house during the Season, let me tell you that was not the case! We brought Mexican Train dominoes to a whole level! We were fortunate to have Mike and Frances Story-Jones, Stacy and her brothers Joshua and Caleb, along with Art, Merritt, Anna and Max, share some fun times with us!  In fact, one night we had enough folks to fill two tables!  At times, the noise level was off the charts, but I loved every reverberation. My hearing is still intact, too. From what I suspect, our neighbors enjoyed the frivolity, as well! Just kidding! We had lots of laughter, munching, and celebrating and tons of friendly rivalry. Just yesterday at church, Joshua tapped Bill on the shoulder and said, “Now you aren’t playing any dominoes without me, are you?”  Another time our good friends Bud and Lenda Wilson came down and we enjoyed more Mexican Train, but please don't tell Joshua!

In closing, I would like to share with you a devotional thought sent to me by a friend. It is by David Jeremiah from his Today’s Turning Point, entitled Ebenezer, dated today, December 29, 2008:

Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the Lord has helped us." 1 Samuel 7:12; Recommended Reading; 1 Samuel 7:5-12

Dr. F. W. Boreham told of a scrap of paper that was framed and displayed in his parent's home. The words said: "Hitherto Hath the Lord Helped Us." One day he asked his mother about it, and she told him of a time when she and her husband faced a crisis. She was distressed for weeks, but one day as she paced back and forth she paused in front of an almanac on the wall. "The only thing I saw was the text in the corner," she said. "It was as if someone had spoken the words: 'Hitherto has the Lord helped us.' I was so overcome, I sat down and had a good cry; and then I began again with a fresh heart and trust." What a great verse for the New Year! The same God who brought us this far will lead us on. He is our God in ages past and our hope for years to come. If we live in the light of eternity knowing our times are in His hands, we can face each day with a fresh heart and trust. Hitherto has the Lord helped us.

So, in case any of you ever wondered what the hymn writer was talking about when he wrote, Here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by Thy help I’m come …”, now you know! How many times have we sung that phrase and secretly wondered: What on earth is an Ebenezer?

I hope that each of you enjoyed a glorious Christmas, that all your calories were made null and void, and that your New Year’s resolutions will all be doable!  May your 2009 bring God’s blessings upon you and yours, and may we all resolve to glorify Him in our lives in a greater way!

PS: Google tells me icicles are still available!  Caution: Vintage ones might be rather pricey!