Merry Christmas!!!!
The Jarvis family celebrates on Christmas Eve, so I am enjoying a quiet Christmas morning just reflecting on last night.
We started by attending the Christmas Eve service at our church. My favorite part? Seeing my party of seven spread across the front row. Whispering and giggling just like they did when they were little. Singing, clapping and even dancing to the music. Light-hearted and just enjoying each other’s company.
Next came the Jarvis family tradition of eating fondue. Everyone sitting around the table cooking each bite together. Eating too much cheese fondue and knowing we’ll pay for it later. And laughing. Lots of laughing.
After dinner, everyone put on their new pajamas. Flannel pants and thermal shirts. They all looked so cute and cozy.
Normally we would then gather in the family room by the tree and read the Christmas story. But they had done such a good job of telling that story at church that Mark decided it would be nice to do something else. He asked that each of us share our favorite thing that God had done in our lives in the past year. He began by sharing what he had seen God do in each of our lives individually and the joy that He felt in watching it happen. My husband isn’t a crier. But when he talks about his family his eyes brim with tears of thankfulness and pride. He does so love these precious lives that God has given us.
Each of the kids then shared what they had seen God do in them this past year. It became very interactive. Five adult children sat in front of me, five “big people” with amazing hearts and insights, talking and listening. Thoughtful and encouraging. Incredible. Priceless.
Gifts followed with as much laughter as gratitude. We were surrounded by a sea of paper, boxes and ribbons. Presents strewn. Torn paper littering the floor. A beautiful mess.
And isn’t that what family is all about? A beautiful mess. A group of people that weather the storms together. That face heartache and difficulty and disappointment as a team. That celebrate the small and big accomplishments and joys of life. That encourage and inspire one another. An imperfect bunch that loves each other through thick and thin and comes out stronger on the other side. Every thrill shared, every battle endured gives way to new beauty. New strength. New vitality and life. The most beautiful of messes…
