My mother, who was widowed when I was 5 years old, exerted a lot of effort to ensure her children experienced wonderful Christmas' and indeed we did. I still look back and still "feel" the joys of this special time in my life.
I recall going Christmas shopping to buy my mother a gift with my $5.00. It was so much fun and I thought I was rich. I cannot remember what I bought with it but I was proud of the fact that I spent every penny on her gift and I looked forward to her surprised and delighted expression (which she always conveyed); that was the real joy.
I do not believe anyone could cook better than my mother. It was so exciting to smell the aroma of cakes and cookies; turkey and ham and chitterlings. She went all out during the holidays and you can bet, her children and all family members enjoyed it all.
Our Christmas morning ritual consisted of our arising early to see if Santa had left our gifts under the tree. Each year I had vowed to catch Santa when he visited, but I could never stay awake long enough. But, each Christmas morning I was thrilled just to know that he had not bypassed our house.
We could not open presents until everyone was awake including my mother. I made it my business to awaken all the sleepers. No one really objected as it was Christmas and once awaken, everyone was ready to open their gifts.
Once everyone was up and around the tree, each one of us had a turn to pray, thanking God for all His blessings. My mother prayed last and longest. I remember her thanking God for the gift of her children and for the blessing of family. She also prayed for those who Santa could not visit that year and asked that God make sure Santa visit them first the next year.
When prayer was over we sung a hymn, usually, Away in a Manger, and then it was gift opening time. One child was nominated as the distributor. He or she would select a gift, call out the name on it, and give it to the person. The person receiving the gift would open it as other waited, and then another gift would be selected and given to the named individual. It went on in this manner until all the gifts had been pass out and opened. Gifts remaining belonged to family or friends not yet present but who would visit later during the day or week. In addition to the gifts, my mother always had a bag filled with variety nuts, apples and oranges for each of us.
It is ironic that my mother's death occured during the Christmas season. Though that Christmas was my most diffuclt to get through, Thanks to the joy she brought me for so many years, subsequent Christmas' have all been virtually joy filled. Not only because she introduced me to the God of the ages and insisted her children give Him the honor due Him, but also because of her selfless sacrifices, her children experienced great happiness in the midst of rough times.
Besides all the wonderful material gifts my mother gave me during my childhood years; she also gave me a special gift that would survive her death: the gift of sweet Christmas memories.
Thank you Mother.
You have an open invitation to visit us at AMEN Ministries: Your Soul's Service Station for reviewing spiritual services being offered, obtain spiritual refreshing and soul edification, get your daily dose of humor, browse our newly expanded Stop & Shop WebStore and to visit our prayer sanctum for quiet time with God.
Blessings to all!
Saundra
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