Saturday, 03 January 2009

A look back at Christmas

I was talking to a friend last night, and even though I said I should go to bed, I had to write about this right then. Sorry Austin. I went to bed right afterwards.

I love Christmas. A lot. I knew or maybe wanted Christmas to be different this year. After the economy turned so toxic, I figured I wouldn't have as many presents. But in a way, I was kind of okay with that. Mom had asked me what I wanted and said, "Make a list! I don't know what to get you." I strained to think off the top of my head what I wanted. I did come up with some stuff, but it was kind of impulsive and a rather short list, honestly. I didn't know what I wanted or what I'd get and even though I like gifts, I didn't care as much this year. I don't remember now if I just prayed to God directly for a different kind of Christmas or what exactly, but I just didn't want just another Christmas like in years past. Could this one be different?

As Christmas got closer, maybe I stopped caring about gifts. I had so much else to think about. I had done some shopping but there was the big community Christmas concert with all the church choirs. Follow the Star. Stephanie and Brandon's wedding. The Christmas Eve Service & the annual Malburg Christmas Eve Party following. This year, Jordan and I were the starring cast members, portraying two angels (Gabriel and his apprentice, Simiel-a name I uncovered that comes from the angelic tradition somewhere; it's the name of an archangel). Following lots of edits and revisions, somehow Jordan and I pulled off the skit on Christmas Eve.

Christmas comes. We had a tasty breakfast and opened stockings. The usual gag gifts, and we were all ready to open the Christmas tree presents when a close friend messaged me that it wasn't such a good day. With her wedding ring thought to be lost and Christmas celebrations all done the day before, her Christmas day was kind of ordinary at best. It sounded kind of sad to me. Sad is no way to celebrate Christmas. I knew Mom and Dad would want to open presents and all and I couldn't just tell them no, but I wanted to help. But how? So I said that she should call us and that we'd see if we could go look for the ring. It had to be somewhere and if it was in the snow, we'd try and find it. And that's what we did.

Christmas presents-I got some nice things which I really do like. I love the new coat especially. But then out Jordan and I went to hunt for this ring in a giant snow pile with Becky and her family. No success, but I wasn't a bit sorry I spent part of my Christmas helping a friend look for something that special to her. And then my friend joined us for dinner, the first non-family member to join us on Christmas. Not bad. A reading of the Christmas story followed by a homemade prime rib dinner with all the fixings. Plus enough pie and homemade cookies till we could pop.

The story, thankfully, has a happy ending. She found her ring in a desk drawer, even though she doesn't remember putting it there. She told all her friends and they were all just as happy as she was when she found it. Just like the parable of the lost coin. All her friends rejoiced with the woman when she found her lost coin.

I think about this story and this Christmas. It was different. I spent it a little differently-with a friend who needed her friends. Even though we didn't find the ring that day, I know now that we were supposed to at least be there for her because... if I was in my friend's place, I'd want someone to come help me, too. Because really... isn't that was Christmas is about? God coming down and being there with us when we needed Him most?