Ghosts of Christmas Past

I think one of the most special things about Christmas are the memories that are made. I don't know about you, but whenever Christmas rolls around I take out the Christmas photo albums and look at the pictures. (Lately it's more like I sit on the computer and look at the pictures) I smile at how big the kids have gotten, the projects we did, and family all smiling for the camera. I shed some tears for the people who are no longer sharing in on our Earthly Christmas Joy. Memories that we made, what a wonderful gift.

I was looking back and reading some of the posts I wrote on this blog around Christmas time a few years back. They bring back great memories for me. I thought I would share some of my Christmas posts from the past.

Memories, a Cherished Christmas Gift

Oh, Christmas Tree

Update: We have now switched to a real tree, my children and father are now happy. Here we are this year.

Christmas All Year Long

An Advent Breather

Memories, a Cherished Christmas Gift

Christmas and babies are a beautiful combination. When Christmas comes around and there are babies in the family it makes the holiday that much more endearing.

I think it is because Christmas is a miracle in itself and when you can ponder this miracle and can be around the miracle of a child it brings Christmas to a new level.

Some of my fondest memories at Christmas time are when my children were babies. At night when the house was quiet and the only light was from our Christmas tree I would sit and rock my babies. Sometimes I would have Christmas music softly playing in the back ground, other times it would be completely silent except for the breath of my sleeping child.

These were times when I could feel God so close to me and my heart was full.

I have a Christmas book that I checked out from the library for my kids. As I was looking through the book I came across this poem. It is a beautifully perfect Christmas poem that reminds me of my favorite Christmas memories.


The Mothers Song
Eskimo poem translated by Peter Freuchen

It is so still in the house
There is a calm in the house,
The snowstorm wails out there,
And the dogs are rolled up with snouts under tails.
My little boy is sleeping on the ledge,
On his back he lies, breathing through his open mouth.
His little stomach bulging round-
Is it strange if I start to cry with joy?


May your Christmas be full of miracles, memories, and the fullness of God.

Reading Circle

I have always read to my children. It has never been a formal thing; a bedtime story or my kids will bring me a book they want me to read while I am sitting on the couch. It is usually during my favorite show that this happens. I think they see me sitting on the couch and think that must mean I am looking for something to do.

Lately we have been doing something different. Everyday after dinner I decided we would have reading circle. The kids and I get their reading books and each one of us reads a story from our chosen book. We lay in a circle on the floor.

I purposely told my kids about this plan because I knew they would hold me to it. Sure enough Lil D reminds me everyday that we have to do reading circle. I now look back on my plan and wonder if I really said everyday?

There are nights when I am tired. Nights when I really don’t want to listen to three stories and have to read one myself. Some nights reading circle goes great, other times there is bickering and tantrums from a three year old when she is told if she is going to bang on pots, throw toys, or do gymnastics she needs to go in the other room.

I will keep doing reading circle. I will try to do it every night. The kids do love it and it helps us to be close to one another. I will also keep doing it because there will come a day when my kids are teenagers and they will not want to lay on the floor with me and read aloud to each other.

One day all my babies will be grown up. I will have time on the couch by myself watching my favorite show. I will be able to read a book to myself in complete quiet. It will be nice. At the same time I can see myself looking down at the empty floor and longing to be lying in a circle, hearing stories from little readers. I will envision a three year old tumbling around us and a sweet voice reminding me that we must do reading circle again tomorrow.


What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life - to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories. ~George Eliot