Sucker Punched by Grandma Bernice!
By: Joy Frystak
It's that time of year again. My husband has been on our roof for three weekends in a row dutifully outlining our home with hundreds, and I do mean hundreds of lights. Our annual cookie decorating party is scheduled and I'm chomping at the bit to get our 6 Christmas trees decorated. My collection of Nutcrackers are calling my name in the middle of the night, the holiday cd's have been cleaned and the Honeybaked Ham has been ordered. It's a season of excitement, dreams, and possibilities. But just as I was ironing our Christmas stockings, the doorbell rang. Outside on our front door step lay a package. My young daughters were jumping up and down with excitement at the thought of receiving an early present. We opened the package and inside we found our Advent calendar that Grandma Bernice sends every year. A card was attached that read, “God Bless You this Advent Season.”
After the girls went to bed that night, I sat and stared at this card. And in that silent moment, I thought about what this season is really about. It's a time when we are given the opportunity to anticipate the birth of Jesus all over again. “A time for the faithful to prepare our souls worthy not only to celebrate this joyous occasion, but fitting for the Redeemer's coming through Holy Communion. And lastly we get to check ourselves for His final coming as judge, at death and at the end of the world.” It's a time when we have the good fortune to reflect on what his birth signifies and how truly joyous this is. It's a gift of time.
Absolutely this is a season of excitement, dreams and possibilities. Our Redeemer has made it so. So while yes, my 6 Christmas trees will still be displayed, I'm going to take this gift of time to be grateful and to reflect on all God has blessed upon me. Once again, I was sucker punched by Grandma Bernice. I'll get my thank you note out to her before her Christmas card.
*advent definition from newadvent.org