The Alicea house is officially decorated for Christmas.
Every corner of every room has been kissed by Christmas, and the warmth and love of our hearts for friends and family is on display, welcoming everyone into our new home for the holidays.
I can’t wait to pour that first cup of coffee served with homemade cookies baked from my mother and mother ‘n laws recipes, while seated around the table with those we have cherished throughout the years.
I must confess though, the grand-kids have scarfed every last cookie I keep for them in the freezer, so I’d best get baking again before that unexpected caroler or shopper shows up during our Alicea Holiday Open House.
Yes, our sweet elves get to enjoy a decorated tree set up just for them to enjoy in their room when they visit. Although I secretly enjoy these ornaments more as the mother they were crafted for from the hands of my children when they were small.
And yes, our grandchildren’s stockings have all been hung with their excitement in mind, knowing their socks will be filled and full by Christmas morning.
But make no mistake, the little girl in me is overcome with excitement from the festivities of lights, music, decorations and all the wonderful things she is blessed to do for her family.
This little Christmas girl finds joy in the smallest of details.
While peering through the windows of each other’s homes during the holidays can stir the same delight as a child flipping through the pages of a Sears and Roebuck Christmas catalog, the December merriment’s of 2020 though for most have been diluted in the cups of our holiday cheer.
Holiday travel to our loved ones has been curtailed or cancelled.
Traditions we have come to look forward to have been removed from December calendars.
Family gatherings will be smaller around the holiday table.
Loved ones have gone on to be with Jesus this year.
Isolation from family, especially during the holidays, stirs up deep loneliness.
The list goes on and on.
But even in our aloneness, God is always awake to hear our prayers.
He never leaves us alone.
Never will never I leave you; never will I forsake you. Hebrews 13:5 NIV
Thankfully, we can gather in his presence to pray, to call on His name and be still and know that He is God, in all situations; especially the lonely ones.
I’m always encouraged remembering that first holiday home of our Lord Jesus, a humble beginning in a barn, a bed of straw for our Savior, a birth met in the loneliness of the night, yet a glorious “missed opportunity “ for those who looked for the Christ Child in the grand, a royal place instead.
Lord, keep me from “missed opportunities” of witnessing your hand in my life and those that I love during this holiday season.
Lord, for those who walk through the doors of our home during days of December, may they feel at home because you are at home here also.
Lord, take me back to humble beginnings, to remind me that even if you are our only gift this Christmas, if you are the only one seated at the dinner table with us, our hearts are full because you are more than enough today and every day, especially during our home for the holiday.
Apples of Gold Encouragement 