I woke up in the middle of the night from a dream. I was unable to fall back to sleep so I prayed and laid there. I finally found my way to my laptop and decided to visit some of my Blog friends who I miss very much. I tried to dry the tears streaming down my face from the dream that I had but once I made it to my friend Sonja's blog I cried more as I read about her childhood Christmas with her parents and family. The dream that I had was about my Grandma and Grandpa and Christmas. For those who have followed my blog for a few years you know my heart for my Grandparents. The two of them were the representation of Christ in my life since my childhood. Grandma went to be with the Lord in 1990 and Grandpa in 2007. I miss them terribly especially this time of year.
They put the CHRIST in CHRISTmas in my life 365 days per year! I can still hear Grandma singing, "What a friend we have in Jesus" as flour covered her hands as she prepared the home-made crust for all the sweet potato and apple pies she would prepare for both family, friends and the church. I would smile and play with my toy china tea set as I inhaled the aromas of the sweet potato pies baking in the oven. It remains my favorite pie to this day.
Grandpa would gather the Christmas tree from the garage and all it's trimmings and I'd help Grandma set up the tree. She had a beautiful Bird that she'd sit on one of the limbs after the tree was finished. She would plug it in and it had the most annoying bird whistle. We could only play it for a few minutes because it would drive me crazy but it made Grandma smile. I sure miss hearing that Bird now and even more, seeing her beautiful smile. I have been told that I smile just like her. I have a bit of the crooked mouth that leans left when I smile just as she had.
My Grandparents would wait until Christmas Eve to put presents under the tree for the Grandchildren. They didn't have a lot of money and splurging on expensive gifts was not going to happen and I'm thankful that I was raised to see that. What they did put under the tree was given with great love for us. But with all the pies baking, food preparation and gifts being wrapped and placed under the tree none of that was the primary focus of Christmas. My Grandparents made certain that it was clear that the season was about the CHRIST in CHRISTmas and His reason for coming for us. As she did, so do I still, set up the Nativity with such great care. She put hers on the mantle of the fire place. I have always had mine elevated under the Tree and now, one on the wall unit as well, but the same care is given to setting it up. Grandma would speak about the purpose of the Nativity and why it was so important to us as Christians. I taught the same to my children and now, this year I had the pleasure of sharing about the Nativity with our Grandchildren. The legacy continues.
You wouldn't find us arriving at our Grandparents house to tear into gifts on Christmas day. First, there were greetings, prayer and acknowledgment of Christ. I'm thankful they set that example. They showed me the Christ in Christmas in how they loved and revered Him and determined to live for Him.
I miss them both very much but I am thankful that right now they are in the presence of Christ in person rejoicing in Who He is and all that He means to us. Christmas here has nothing on being up-close and personal with Christ in Heaven! I'm sure of it. I look forward to the Day.
Thank you for letting me share a bit of my legacy of love and how two very special people in my life shared the CHRIST in CHRISTmas with me. Merry Christmas to all of you and blessed New Year to you and your loved ones!
19 comments:
Beautiful sharing of these heartfelt memories...I have many of my own from Christmas times with my grandparents...these memories are a gift that keeps on giving!
Oh friend, thank you for your words. They echo my prayers and desire to leave a Godly and Christ-centered legacy to my precious grandchildren.
Oh how precious are the memories of those that laid the foundation of Christ within our lives and hearts by being an expressed image of Christ...what a true blessing your grandparents were and I can feel the "void" even as I read your testimony of their life long impact upon you...Merry Christmas my blog friend
What a wonderful tribute to your grandparents. They set a fine example and would be so proud of the woman you are now!
My Grandparents passed away by the time I was 4 and I wish I could have memories like yours. However - I hope to be able to have that kind of influence on my grand daughter!
Lisa, I loved reading about how your grandparents taught you about keeping Christ as Christmas. Many parents (and aunts too) long for their kids to truly walk with the Lord. And sometimes we don't get to see it. But reading about the legacy of love that your parents gave to you and how years later ...you are living out what they taught you is wonderful and encouraging to me. I too wish my grandparents were alive to see me now. My grandpa died when I was still in nursing school and at that time I wasn't living for the Lord. But one day I'll see him in heaven. :)
I too read Sonja's post about her Christmases in the past. I loved it and I love her too. I am going to write a post about mine as a result this week.
I love your memories and ... I love you Lisa!
Debbie
...And now I am visiting your page and reading these words and shedding my own tears! Won't it be the most glorious Christmas when we are all together with our precious ones that are already in heaven?
I thank God for the influence of your grandparents in your life, Lisa. They would sure be smiling today if they could read these words.
Merry Christmas sweet sister, I love you!
Sonja
Karen - Amen friend, they surely are memory gifts that keep on giving.
Donna - I'm certain with the loving heart that you have, you will indeed leave that legacy for your grandchildren!
Oh Rhonda, indeed there is a void, one of their absence but it is refilled time and again by the precious memories of the love of Christ they poured into me. Thank you my friend. Merry Christmas to you and your family as well.
Mari, I'm sure you are already having that type of influence on your grand daughter. She will grow up absolutely blessed with a Christ-centered legacy of love.
Love you all and Merry Christmas!
What a wonderful legacy in honor of your grandparents. They had a powerful & precious impact on your life - - something I pray will be the outcome of my own grandparenting.
How rich are we who look back upon those who blazed such a noble, God-honoring trail. Oh the joy of seeing them again!
Love & the warmest of CHRISTmas wishes to you & yours,
Kathleen
Sweet Lisa, I loved hearing about your Christmas with your grandparents when you were young and how you've carried on that tradition. What a blessing they were and how that was sown into your life. I pray this year the Lord will have some very special blessings for you and yours.
Sending love your way today.
Noreen
Oh, such blessed Christmas memories! Soon and very soon we will join our Loved Ones around GOD's throne and rejoice over so great a salvation!
I miss my Mom especially at this time of year...how she loved Christmas! And this is the first time in 28 years that my daughter won't be "home." But I focus on what's best for her and her family and rest in GOD's sovereignty.
Hug your Grands especially tight for those of us who will be without this year! ;)
Just beautiful!
Sonja & Kathleen- aww, Amen! I can't wait until that Day! Oh what it will be like!
Noreen - thank you dear sister. I pray the same for you and your family!
Jessica - I will hug them extra tightly indeed especially since this is the first Christmas they are here with us so I know how it feels to not have your Grands with you for Christmas.
DeLonda - welcome Sis and thanks for visiting and sharing!
Love and Christmas blessings to all of you special woman of God!
Lisa, sounds like we both had some awesome grandparents.
Beautiful memories, just like mine. My Gramma passed away 15 years ago on the 27th, my Dad's 60th birthday. Grampa has been gone since '86. I miss them both, but especially my Gramma. I love and understand her even more now that I am a gramma. I can only hope and pray to be the gramma to my grandbaby that she was to me.
What a gift we had in our grandparents. What a gift we have in our grandchildren.
Merry Christmas, dear Sister!
What a beautiful story Lisa! I could vision all this in my mind and smell the pies baking! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Merry Christmas to you as well, Lisa. May this week be filled with many rich reminders of God's love for you. As you reflect on the legacy of your grandparents, I know that you are exceedingly grateful for the love they sowed into your heart. You are a representation, now, of them and a beautiful reminder to us all of how hugely a heart can live!
Blessed manger walk, sister.
peace~elaine
I love the photo of your grandparents. Thank you for sharing your precious memories with us.
I love that you continue your grandmother's tradition of setting up the nativity and explaining it to your grandchildren. What an awesome legacy your grandparents left.
It's awesome to still see a part of them through you sister!!! Thank you for sharing your warm mem'ries with your grandparents. Praying their loving mem'ries will cover you with comfort and strength.
Have a Merry Christmas and God bless you and your family. Love you in Christ.
What a beautiful legacy, Lisa! And to know you are providing this stability for your OWN family, now.....What a privilege.
Joy to your world in these days, dear sister! May Christ be exalted in our plans, prep, and "parties"!
I am so thankful that I had the privilege of visiting your blog this early morning hour. I love reading how you share your heart about the people that mean the very most to you. You help me realize just how important my grandparenting role is with my precious little grandchildren's lives. You help me realize that what I teach them, my words, and my attitudes are what will stick with them later in life. What beautiful, gracious and loving people your grandparents were. God knows just what we need in life to give us joy for our journey, and He used two special people to yours. I read this post with tears as I was reminded again of our God's Amazing Love for us. Thank you so much for sharing this Lisa!
I wish you and your family a wonderful time together!
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