Yesterday, the mailman slipped a tiny box beside my front door. They’re here. Those dark French chocolate truffles that I order every year. We have to have them on Christmas Day. It’s a tradition now. They were my papa’s favorite Christmas candy. I can remember him sitting on my sofa in front of a snowy mountain view at Wintergreen Resort. After tasting just one truffle, he began to pop them like popcorn in his mouth! There was hardly any left for the rest of us!
“To Papa!” we’ll cheer as each one of us enjoys a truffle in remembrance of him. You see, even though my Papa passed away right before Christmas several years ago, he still lives in my memories of bubble lights, tall thin cedar pines, spiral baked hams and dark French chocolate truffles.
I can still hear him when I say “There is not enough hours in a day.” I can still see him in the twinkle of those steel blue eyes of my granddaughter Charlotte and the animated actions of little Elle.
It will always be a Merry Christmas. It will be merry because of the birth of the Christ who came to give death no sting of victory at neither my house nor yours. Merry because of this celebration, my papa – perhaps it is your papa or mama or child – was given the promise to live again.
We are ALL but visitors on this earth for such a short time. Sent here to learn and to teach and to always do the will of God who sent us and is with us on the journey. He would never send you out alone. And, then, in His time, He will call each one of us back home.
I intend to make a joyful noise this Christmas and in all those to come! Thank you, oh Lord, for Christmas to remind us of the reason that you came to earth. What I know is that Christmas means that one day I will look once again into those steel blue eyes, put up a tall thin Cedar, and pop a dark chocolate truffle. We may even slice a spiral cut ham.
And, we will give joy and praise to the Father who loved us on our journey here and welcomed us when we finally made it back home.
May you never lose your hope, your peace and His purpose for you while you are here on earth.
Merry Christmas!
“Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23: 42-43