December 24, 2020
I imagine that you’re more excited than ever this year. The decorations must be indescribable, the feast more bountiful, and the Christmas music must be sang with absolute joy and astonishment as you’re in the presence of Jesus himself. We do our best on earth to pay tribute throughout the season and celebrate what His birth means, but you all… the citizens of heaven…you get it. I wonder if at Christmas you get to talk to Mary? Does she still sing her song of worship for all to hear?
“…Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me.”
What about the others-Joseph, the Shepherds, even the angels-who were sent to announce His birth? I bet you get to talk to them too. It must be amazing to hear their firsthand accounts and what it meant to them and to the world. I bet your making Christmas music somehow. Are you playing an instrument, singing, and dancing? I miss your goofy dancing.
I bet you’re hearing memories and stories from family members about Christmases of past. I imagine you’re baking sugar cream pies for Grandpa and cookies with Grandma’s and sharing Christmas stories about us with your siblings that are with you. If you can give each other gifts, please give them one from me. I long to hold them and kiss their cheeks just like I did with you and Libby. I hope they’re not to big for that. You’re such a good big sister, but two of them are older than you…I wonder how that works? Can you see the lights from our Christmas trees? Dad says it looks like we left all the lights on, but it’s only the Christmas tree lights shining out the windows. They’re still not as bright as your smile.
I’m trying so hard to not be selfish, but I wish you were here. You’d still be working on your Christmas list so carefully, weighing all your options and researching each one. I know you’re already getting everything you could ever want there. You experience His perfect love, perfect joy and perfect peace every second. There is no enemy of The King in heaven. Down here, it seems he has his way of corrupting everything. The stress and distraction that takes our eyes off of Jesus is such a nuisance. Why do we fall for it? It must be amazing to be so free of all of that and all of the fears that this world brings—fear of failure, fear of rejection, and fear of not having what we need. We strive so hard to do things here on our own, ignoring the help that His Spirit offers. If we would only let the Holy Spirit really guide our every encounter, we would experience more heaven on earth—I’m sure. Christmas in heaven…I can’t wait. Someday we’ll all be home for Christmas. What a wonderful thought.
