I am not a moaning kind of person but lately, I have been moaning. I have been whinging that am not feeling Christmassy because basically the world’s a mess and it’s too warm.
Then last night I went to Alana’s nativity play and as I watched my girl play her part in the Year 6 performance, the tears welled up as I realised this was the last nativity play I would watch her in. As I watched the little angels and shepherds shuffle across the stage in their little plimsolls and stumble staccato – like through their lines, I remembered the days when my two girls were that small.
That made me think about what Christmas is about and I realised that what makes Christmas so special are the memories. The memories and magic that are created when we were children and that then when we become parents, we create the memories and magic for our children.
And yes, Christmas is a time for magic.
It’s the time when we decorate our houses with twinkly lights and baubles that not only make our homes feel extra sparkly but also makes us feel warm and glowy on the inside.
It’s a time when we bring families and communities together and create special once-a-year memories like playing cards and board games or watching Elf in front of the fire together. It’s a time when no matter how old or grown-up we are, as we hear the rustle of secret lists being scribbled and the countdown begins to how many sleeps there are until Santa’s coming, we can’t fail to get caught up in the excitement of being a child again.
Finally, amidst all the chaos and unrest that is happening in the world, Christmas is a time when we remember a baby who was born in a stable and whose birth is celebrated as the spirit and embodiment of peace and joy on earth. Lord only knows, that the world can do with that.
Christmas is special and this year, I’ll be doing my best to create another stack of happy memories of Christmas moments with my children and family that I know I can never have back.
So, I wish you and your loved ones a peaceful and happy festive season. May you create your own special memories with your babies big and small that you will treasure forever for the years to come.