I'm not alone in thinking that the best Christmas season starts with celebrating Thanksgiving. Hollywood concurs! While many Christmas movies start with a Thanksgiving feast, my favorite example is
Miracle on 34th Street. It always made me feel like I was there, experiencing New York City on a bright sunny Thanksgiving morning, watching the parade from Mr. Gailey's window. The magic of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has always been a highlight of my family's Thanksgiving. The festive music, lively performances, and colorful floats and balloons were always in the background of our meal preparations. It added to the excitement of the morning, anticipating the feast to come.
I'm a huge fan of Christmas. And no, I don't think it's wrong to listen to Christmas music before Thanksgiving. Like I said, Thanksgiving is a key part of the Christmas season in my eyes. It's the first family gathering, the first party, of hopefully a long string of "happy meetings when friends come to call!" Thanksgiving prepares our hearts with gratitude for the greatest gift of all--the coming of Christ Jesus. Maybe that's why I love Christmas so much: It reminds me of the joy and peace that can only be fulfilled with Christ's coming into my heart. And it helps me look forward to His second coming. That's a reason to celebrate
both holidays with gusto!
And celebrate we will! Hubby and I are on our way home to New Hampshire today. There's a mix of stress and excitement as we prepare to go. That adult side of our brains keeps nagging, "Did you pay all the bills? Is all the trash taken out? Did you finish the dishes? Are the boarding passes printed? Did you pack enough warm layers?" We scramble to answer, wearing ourselves out in the process.We think of the red-eye flight, the few precious moments of sleep that must carry us through the following day. And I'm thankful for ALL of it, because those adult naggings are what help us stay on track, and take care of ourselves and this home we've been blessed with.
At the same time, the childlike side of our brains keep squealing, "You get to see family! You get to see friends! You may even get to see snow! There will be wonderful food to share and songs to sing. You can relax, laugh, play! You will give and get hugs! You will savor the moments, giving thanks to God because He's given this to you! The holidays are a gift,
for you! For everyone!" Thoughts like that make me want to just hug that side of my brain, scoop it up and cover it with kisses, because it's so precious. It helps balance the weight of responsibility with joy in the journey. Thank you, Lord, for bringing me safe into adulthood and for keeping alive that childlike wonder and awe of You, and all You give.
Do you know that feeling? You're heading home. And it feels like your heart might sprout wings, returning to what you know. Isn't that what it feels like to think of Heaven? Everything I thought was familiar will pale in comparison to the fulfillment of being with my God. That will be the best homecoming of all! And all these beautiful, excitement-filled reunions are but shadows of the joy to come.
