Moments With God.
Twelve Days of Christmas
Day 2
December 26
On the Second day of Christmas
My true love gave to me Two Turtle Doves
The Old and New Testaments, which together bear witness to God's self-revelation in history and the creation of a people to tell the Story of God to the world.
Please click the Jukebox to select music.
A TABLE OF LOVE
I held the black and white snapshot tenderly and lightly touched the faces of my loved ones. Gathered around the old-fashioned table at my Aunt's house, our family, old and young alike, were celebrating Christmas. I was the little girl with one front tooth missing, wearing a new red dress my mother had made for the holidays.
The table was crowded with mismatched chairs but no one minded. Uncle Larry sat at the head of the table, tall, thin and wearing a happy grin. He loved having a house full of family. His brother Frank sat beside him. Frank had made the 45-minute drive down the mountain from the old farm homestead where he lived alone. He seldom drove that far but he wouldn't miss Christmas with the family. A handful of teenage cousins, my brothers and a couple of other aunts and uncles filled the remaining chairs. Mom and her sister peeked at the camera from the kitchen doorway.
But the table, oh that brought back wonderful memories. A huge turkey, browned to perfection waited for Uncle Larry to carve it. I could smell, in memory, the savory dressing piled next to a mound of mashed potatoes with melting butter pooled in a crater at the top. Platters of biscuits and bowls of gravy surrounded Aunt Goldie's cranberry salad. Yet, what really caught my eye was the pie Aunt Goldie held in her hands. It was one of several I knew were cooling on the kitchen counter, just waiting to be topped with whipped cream. What a feast!
Oh I miss those days. The room always rang with laughter, banter and joy. Most of all, the house was filled with love. I could feel again the hugs and hear the stories that all started with, "Do you remember the time when...?"
They are all gone now, those wonderful aunts and uncles. Mom and Dad each slipped away to heaven last year, too. The cousins and my brothers have all moved away with families of their own. We keep in touch by phone, an occasional visit or even e-mail, but nothing compares to the old holiday gatherings.
My own children are now grown and scattered with families of their own, too. As the end of December approached, my holiday table seemed sparse with only two chairs. Suddenly I knew I had to do something to change that. It took only a few phone calls to find others who were spending the holiday alone. By Christmas Day, a turkey graced the table in front of my husband. There were salads and desserts, favorite family recipes, made by the others who had gathered. This would be a wonderful celebration of the birth of our Lord. The love at the table came, not from a family of human heritage, but flowed lavishly from the heart of God's family.
When the last guest had gone, my husband and I sat in front of the flickering fire. It had been a good day. But there will be another gathering someday. It will look a lot like that old black and white photograph — except it will be in brilliant color. I don't know what the room will look like, but it will be in a mansion. Those who have gone to Heaven before me will be gathered together. I'm sure my aunt has something wonderful baking in that heavenly oven and Mom is waiting for me to get there so I can put the napkins on the table.
The greatest joy of all will be that Jesus will be sitting at the head of the table. What a wonderful table of love that will be.
~ Marcia L. Mitchell
Walla Walla, Washington
Thanks for the reminder to look at those around us rather than to ourselves for the true expression of Christmas.
Would you bring to my mind today, someone I need to call, write, or hug.
Thank you Jesus for the gift that continues to give.
Amen
[Psalms 28, 30] [II Chron 24:17-22] [Acts 6:1-7]
or suggestions to Yvonne Edwards.
Edited: Nov. 19, 1999 3:20 p.m.
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