As we draw near to Christmas, I want to share a special memory or two. We had many traditions in our family and were blessed to have both sets of grandparents living in the same town. We always spent Christmas Eve with Mom's parents, Christmas morning with Dad's parents, then enjoyed Christmas dinner with both sides of the family. One year we were even blessed to have our Great-Grandpa from Missouri join us.
When my older sister and I were little, we would put on a Christmas production, usually singing "Away in a Manger" with the cradle motions, the stars looking down, and baby Jesus asleep on the hay. As I write this, many memories flood my mind, but the two I want to focus on are the ones that made an eternal difference in my life.
After dinner on Christmas Eve we would do two things, without fail, before opening gifts. I don't remember the order of these two things, but the order isn't important.
We would all stand up and form a circle, holding hands. Each one of us would go around the circle and say what we were thankful for through the year. I know as a little child, it was almost too much to bear, since those gifts were calling my name. But we learned to be still, listen and give our thanks when our turn came.
Dave and I were able to have Christmas with the family a few years ago, and the circle continues. As an adult, realizing the significance of it and the thankful hearts around that circle, I still tear up.
The other memory is of my precious Grandma Rankin, opening her Bible to Luke 2. We would gather around, sitting on her lap when very young, or surrounding her as we got older. She would read. I would gaze at the lights on the tree in wonder. It was an old story that was new every time she read it. I heard that wonderful Christmas story so many times, that I could recite it word for word as she read.
I am so thankful for my parents, my grandparents and so many other godly people that influenced my life. My grandparents have all gone on to be with the Lord. I am blessed to still have my parents on this side of eternity.
What are you doing to make an eternal difference in the lives of your family? Introduce your tiny children to the Baby born in Bethlehem. Tell them the old story that never grows old. Cultivate thankfulness in their hearts from an early age. Make Christmas memories that will last not a lifetime, but an eternity.
