By Judy Villanueva
Jesus spoke to the people again. He said, “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in darkness. They will have that light. They will have life.” (John 8:12)
“Daddy’s home! Tell him I’ve fallen asleep!” mom said with a wry smile, as she pushed back the recliner and closed her eyes. The four of us kids met dad at the door with excited giggles, pointing to mom and reporting that she was sound asleep. Then we all watched as this beautiful ritual unfolded, where dad would playfully say, “What? Mom is asleep? How can that be?” He would then walk over and give her a kiss amidst an eruption of laughter. We would watch as mom opened her eyes to find her prince at her side and, believe me, none of us missed the look that passed between them! It spoke to us of love and made a lasting deposit that filled our hearts with smiles! The love my parents shared was a whisper of True Love, steadfast, safe and sure…and, this silly little game drew us all into the happy celebration of it!
Rituals of love! They are the things we do to celebrate life, the ways we act out our gratitude and love.
It is how we mark moments and help ourselves remember the gifts we’ve been given.
Every year, Christians all over the world gather in anticipation of the Christ child. We shop, hang lights, bake cookies and play sparkly melodies that help us celebrate the birth of Hope. And, standing conspicuously right alongside are our losses, dashed dreams and disappointments. They can make us want to turn away from the joy of the season and retreat to quiet places. Reality can sometimes be harsh and painful. How desperately we need God’s Love to touch our real lives, in both the brightest and most broken places!
Whether it is lighting one candle or stringing a thousand colored lights, there is ONE Truth worth whatever it takes to rouse, remember, and celebrate.
TRUE Love has come and His name is Jesus!
He is what we spend our lifetimes searching for, that thing we hope for as we tear open packages, the ONE we seek when we clamor to fill our lives with people, things, and meaningful causes. He is the hero we hoped would come!
Jesus IS the happy ending, the best story ever told — the Reality of TRUE love!
At 84 and 89, my parent’s love still offers its sweet blessings, even amidst life’s changes and challenges. When I see mom’s posted notes around the house that help dad orient to the day, or watch them as they sit side by side in recliners, or peek over when they exchange “sweet nothings,” I can still see that look pass between them. It points so gently beyond their love to the Love that came and gave all it had to have us for Christmas!
“Jesus, you are the best story I’ve ever heard and your love seems too good to be true. But, it’s true! Thank you, Lord, for finding me, for coming to this world, for making a WAY for me to be Yours. Amen.”
What about you?
Do you know the One who came to find you?
Do you recognize the ways you clamor to fill your heart with something you can’t quite name?
How do you mark moments and help yourself remember the gifts you’ve been given?
Celebrate! Remember! Light a candle! Hang a thousand lights and ACT OUT your gratitude for the greatest gift ever given!
Merry Christmas!
Worship
Merry Christmas my beautiful friend. You have taught me much about True Love.
Love that Judy❣️❣️❣️Those songs were amazing too. Thank you for writing. MERRY CHRISTMAS✝️?✝️
❤️ ❤️Love ❤️❤️ I always saw that emotion in my Aunt and Uncle? I am blessed to have had that touch my life and see what true love when I was a little girl? love you dear cousin????
I just read this again and it was as if it was the first time reading it. Thank you for acknowledging the children of Our Heavenly Father who are feeling the loss of loved ones and dashed dreams. It is the time to celebrate. Celebrate the joy and love and dreams that have come true in our lives, even though some of them are gone now for without the birth of Jesus Christ Our Savior none of it would have happened anyway. So, I can say with a joyful heart Merry CHRISTmas? I love you dear cousin and yes, I always saw the True Love your loving parents share. It inspired me to want what they have. I love you?
Lorita?
The verse that comes to mind when I read your reflection is, “Look beyond to what endures.” Those little things may not seem like much but they can be an anchor in our turbulent lives, or a window allowing us a glimpse of an even greater and deeper spiritual reality. I’m sure your parents had no idea at the moment that their love was a signpost pointing others to God, yet that is what marriage is supposed to be,
What a gift your parents gave to you probably without even realising it. They forgot themselves and thought of the other and isn’t that what love is all about? I remember coming into your home during my teenage years and recognizing that it was very special and a place where people lived in security. I am sure it was imperfect as all families are but for me coming from a lot of craziness it was wonderful . Thanks for sharing!
I loved this one. I had forgotten all about mom & dad and their ritual. Thinking of it makes me remember and smile. We were so fortunate to live in a home filled with love. I’m grateful for the example that we were given as it made it easier to recognize and embrace the Love of the Father, in the gift of Jesus.
Thank you for the memory and the reminder,
Brother
Reading this again makes me think of what memories our kids will remember. I pray that they see first how we love and live for Jesus, the One who pulled us out of the pit and drew us to Himself when we were dead in our sin and saved us and then our love for one another since we were 13 years old. Truly a gift from God to adore our spouse and be the image of Gods love for us. Marriage is His blessed gift of divine love ? so thankful you got to grow up in that invironment. Not everyone does. You and Danny are that to your kids and the legacy lives on???praising God for you. I Love You!
What a beautiful memory and love ritual you have reflected on with your family and the extended families. We can all hold on to this memory as a legacy of the pursuit of love in our lives. Jesus came into this world to whisper to our hearts those special words of faith, hope, and love. As we gather to inspire one another in this Advent season to press in and press on through the years adversity, I will reflect on the small things
we can all do to create a loving and joyful home for my family, as we gather to celebrate a birth of love to this world, like no other.
That is beautiful Shelly! Thank you.
Excellent words and song. Thank you and Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Rituals of love are treasures that plant themselves in our day-to-day lives and grow with time to become something so beautiful! Ours is to hold hands as we fall asleep. Thank you for the good reminder of what’s truly valuable in this life and what we look forward to in the next.
Thank you for sharing the beautiful stories of True Love, both your parent’s story, and the story of Jesus Christ Our Lord!
Prayers that many hearts might be opened to HIS LOVE and the wonderful changes we can experience THROUGH HIM!
Merry Christmas to you and all your loved ones!
Peggy