On Christmas Eve

There is no snow tonight. In fact, the weather over the past month has been a far cry from this same time last year. I remember quite clearly, because this time last year we were moving into our house, buying our first (and second and third) snowshovel to clear walkways. It was the first time I realized how much it really took to heat this house. (When we moved in,we had 15 percent of the propane tank full, or 150 gallons of propane. It took three weeks to burn that up) Needless to say, we quickly tracked someone down to inspect our chimney so we could use our woodstove! To survive, we kept all but four rooms of the house completely closed off, and all of our boxes in the garage. It would be months until we unpacked more than the bare essentials.

The wind whipped around us whenever we ventured out in the cold, the wind chill in the teens on even the warmest of afternoons. The wind howled around the house starting at about 3pm each evening, a constant hum that reminded us just how lucky we were to have a brick house- the straw or stick houses would have been long gone.

This year, however, has been mild. A bit chilly, but barely a wisp of wind most days. It has allowed us to do some overly "Christmasy" things, like load hay bales into the back of Phil's Hidden Valley Ranch truck, put a lantern on a post, and go carolling with 15 of our closest church friends. (Which was quite fun, really, even when Phil accidentally flooded the engine at the last stop and half of the passengers had to get out and push the truck to a running start- ah the memories!)

The mild weather has been good to us, allowing preparations like putting a wood burning stove into the garage (so Phil can work in freezing temperatures), and splitting wood that we have received from neighbors. Slowly, we have been able to prepare for the upcoming winter weather. Our house is three times the size it was last year, making it trickier to "tighten up" this time of year. While last year we lived in four rooms of the house, this year, we are using all of the rooms both upstairs and down (which means more windows and more cold air!)

Last year, Christmas Eve was sad and quite lonely. We thought of family, of friends. We were cold, and though our tree was lit and we had presents, the joy of the season was missing.

This year, we have had so much hubbub over the Christmas season, I can't believe Christmas is tomorrow. And though I still get teary eyed over family back home, it is because I miss their smiles, their stupid-jello salads, their Clam chowder and the laughter that went with each family get-together, not because we are lonely. For we have been surrounded with loving people here, too. And for this I am extremely grateful.

But, I think, we miss the point in focusing on either one this Christmas Eve. Because Christmas, though it is a time for families to gather and presents to be exchanged, is first and foremost remembrance of the birth of Christ- the child who would bring salvation to the world. And though we were lonely last year for our family, and though we are surrounded with people this year, either can be a pitfall where we seek out comfort in such trappings instead of the one true Comforter. It matters not where you are, nor who you are with, but Who is in your heart on this Christmas eve.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas tonight- may your fires warm your homes, your dinners include lots of jello-salad, and your tables be surrounded with people you love.