It was 1985. After months of anticipation, the day had finally arrived. The tree was stacked high with presents and we ripped open package after package. But the gift was not there. My eyes scanned the remaining packages. None were big enough to hold the radio with a cassette tape player that my 8-year-old heart had so desperately longed for. I knew we didn’t have the money for it. They were expensive and I didn’t really need it. Oh, but my heart still longed for it.
The final gifts were opened. No radio. We cleaned up the mess and began taking gifts to our rooms.
As if she had truly forgotten, my mother suddenly exclaimed, “Oh wait a minute. There is one more gift!” Could it be? Oh yes, it was. There in that box, in all of it’s silver shiny glory was a radio- WITH A CASSETTE TAPE PLAYER. I could barely contain my excitement.
This day is one of the fondest of memories. Even years later, I can still remember the joy on my mom’s face as she pronounced that there was just one more package. I can still feel the excitement in my heart over what had been sacrificed for me.
Years later, I try to remember what the season is all about, but as the day gets closer, the moments get harder. This time of year has a way of leaving us with the feeling of wanting. Maybe a magazine worthy Christmas tree, or a house that looks like Martha Stewart’s, or a perfect family all nuzzled by the fire singing silent night….
I listen to the radio drone on about Joy to the World and Peace on Earth. I turn on the TV and watch the stories of broken people all living out the perfect “hollywood” Christmas where everyone has a happy ending. I try to busy myself and keep my mind off of the obvious lacking when my mind settles on a thought. If Christmas is all about Jesus, then how can I be lacking?
Christmas is certain to disappoint if my hope is in anything less than the ONLY HOPE… Jesus.
No matter what is missing or broken in life, Christmas is perfect. It is the absolutely perfect story of an amazing savior who died to redeem ALL that was lost.
In just a few days, we will all be gathered around the tree singing silent night and enjoying precious moments with our families. Even if your holiday doesn’t look like a greeting card, I pray that you will look for the blessing of the moments that we do have and that God will richly reward you for looking past whatever storm may be making waves in your life.
As for me, I have the privilege of spending this holiday with my babies and I am going to soak in ever minute of it. So, I’m taking a blogging break until the new year. I have so many amazing things planned for us when I return. I sure hope you will be here! Until then, I figured I will finish the year off with a list of this year’s top ten most enjoyed posts. I hope you will pin or share your favorite with your friends. Be blessed and may you have joy in the truth of the season, that Jesus was born and died for all that is not right, to save us with his scandalous grace.
Merry Christmas, friends. I hope your Christmas will be as perfect as mine, regardless of circumstance.
Top Ten Posts of 2012
10. Husbandless Homemaking: What’s For Dinner
9. Organizing Classical Conversations
8. The Tale of Two Homeschool Rooms
6. Practical Tips for Intentional Parenting
5. Parenting the Toddler Years
2. Ten Ways to Make Memories Without a Penny
1. Creative Consequences For Kids
Kim Sorgius
Kim is just a girl, crazy in love with Jesus. She's a single mother of 4, a passionate homeschooler and life-long student. After teaching 8 years in public school, she traded her M.A. in Early Childhood for sippy cups and homeschool co-ops. Kim is the owner and editor of The Homeschool Village and Not Consumed where she encourages others to rest victoriously in the hands of God, rather than allowing life's difficult circumstances to consume.
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I have been quietly reading and haven’t left a comment, which seems cruel when you are putting it all out there and ministering such comfort to me. This has been a hard year, adjusting to my parents’ divorce after forty years of marriage. I just had my eighth child, and it has been so hard to help each of them through their anger, pain, and the innocent questions of my little ones. Each question tears the wound a little more for me, but i want to be the mom who will always listen, who will tell the truth. Thank you so much for your posts. Although my marriage is a source of strength and joy, my parents’ divorce has rocked me and just reading your posts let me know that someone understands my sorrow. And i grieve with you, for the hard position you are in, and i rejoice with you that although God has not healed up your marriage and given you the happily ever after i would love to read here, you have allowed Him to use you to pour out His comfort and kindness and even joy in the midst of pain and uncertainty. May God bless you richly this Christmas, may you feel His presence near and His care tangible and may He bless you and give you strength and joy as you lean on Him, depending on Him…
Thank you for your kind words, Stephanie. Praying for your family, as well!
Hi Kim!
I’ve been reading your posts for a couple of months and they have helped so much parenting my now three year old. I really appreciate your Christian perspective. Thanks so much for all you share!
Merry Christmas to you and your sweet little ones!
Carla
Merry Christmas!