Memories of Christmas Past

December 2, 2001

I remember the huge wood burning stove that had been converted to gas. It seemed to take hours to heat water or even a can of soup. (That was all I knew about cooking.)

On the day before Christmas I had hand washed some towels in a sink that was at least 24 inches deep. After Emmitt had gone to class, I decided to hang my laundry on our flimsy clothesline. I put my coat on over my pajamas and went outside in the freezing cold. I left the kitchen door ajar, I thought, but the fierce wind blew the door shut and I was locked out. I walked two blocks in the snow to the manager's office to borrow a key!

We had very little materially, but we didn't know it then. We had eachother and we were so in love. We searched and searched for a Christmas tree we could afford. Finally we came home with our little $3.00 tree. We wrote love notes and wrapped them in pretty paper and shiny ribbon because our budget didn't allow decorations. We thought our "tree ornaments" looked beautiful! We vowed not to read them until Christmas Day. How well I remember one in particular. I still have it. "My darling, I love you more than life itself. You are the best wife I ever had." (I was and am the only wife he ever had.)

As wonderful as my marriage is, I have another marriage. I am married to Jesus in the spirit. He has pledged all of His love to me too. He gave me the greatest gift of all, His life. Imagine how Jesus must have felt knowing the suffering and the pain awaiting Him. Imagine how God felt knowing that He would have to turn His back on His only Son and that His Son Jesus must die alone for you and me. Still Jesus came.

That is love to the highest degree. So we celebrate Jesus. He is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), Lamb of God (John 1:29), Bread of Life (John 6:35), Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25), Chief Cornerstone (Psalm 118:22), High Priest (Hebrews 4:15), Bridegroom (Matthew 9:15), King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16). "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).

It is the time of the year we celebrate His birth. I love the Christmas season, the sounds, smells and sights of Christmas. It brings out the best in everyone. Jesus has a way of doing that. He is love and that love is shed abroad in our hearts.

With Jesus, every day is Christmas. His love colors my world with joy. "The LORD will always lead you. He will satisfy your needs in dry lands and give strength to your bones. You will be like a garden that has much water, like a spring that never runs dry" (Isaiah 58:11 NCV).

Jesus came to earth in the form of a little baby wrapped in love as a gift for mankind. He walked this earth only 33 years but changed the world forever. Have you opened your gift? It is straight to you from the heart of God. Many years have come and gone since my first Christmas with my tall handsome husband, but I am still the best wife he ever had!