When Christmas Lingers Quietly…

by Leane VanderPutten

I anticipated Christmas this year with joy. I love the time of year when family and friends gather, when decorations are put up, Catholic traditions are once again lived throughout the season, the warmth of the fire and the Christmas lights greet all who walk into our home.

I had my gifts mostly taken care of. The girls made the cookies for the neighbors. They also did the decorating. So I didn’t have to stress about too much.

Then we hit a bump. It wasn’t terrible but it definitely added a strain to what could have been a typical lovely Christmas. My expectations of a perfect Christmas were dampened. It stripped away the illusion that unless something goes as planned, one cannot be happy.

I reminded myself of what people were going through in other parts of the world with extreme weather, of those who lose loved ones during this time. That definitely took some of the sting out of a hard situation.

I realized that part of the beauty of Christmas is the underlying peace that the Baby Jesus brings to us in spite of our external circumstances. Like Him, we experience suffering, yet we know that it is part of a bigger plan for our good.

And Christmas was beautiful in spite of it.

Now the rush and hubbub is over and things are settling back into a routine. Yes, I love the time after Christmas.

I have been through enough in my lifetime that I have learned to love the rhythmic pattern of everyday life.

I used to look forward to the exciting events that were coming up with a longing. The humdrum of life was tolerated as I contemplated the “fun” of the next event. Oftentimes, those things didn’t live up to the anticipation of them. Also, one had to be ready to forego those times because of the ups and downs of family life.

Most of all, though, it was the crosses of life that taught me that each day can be “fun”…that living in the present moment is so valuable….that our attitude makes up more than half the battle. So each normal, routine day is not “the grind” to me. No. It is order, tranquility and growth…each day when we are pushing ourselves to do what we know to be right.

Joy stopped living in the future and learned to live where I was.

Whether it is saying our everyday prayers, getting to daily Mass, or just getting the house picked up and the dishes done, it is a work of love for all. And especially for ourselves because that is what brings peace to our soul.

The season of Christmas doesn’t end when Epiphany is over. This time of quiet joy lingers throughout January. The decorations are still up. The lights twinkle their quiet welcome.

Nativity scenes continue to remind us of the season. The journey of the Three Kings has ended. A beautiful time, indeed.

This is a picture of our Nativity Scene on this quiet, mild, winter morning.

Christmas announces a Child. New life is at the heart of the season, and this year we were given our own small share of that wonder.

As life continues, and the rhythm of things quieted down, we welcomed a new baby grandson on Monday! Ben and Hannah had their first! They had the baby at home. The labor was fast and furious. And it gave way to a sweet little 7lb. 5 oz. boy. They named him Charbel David after the wonder-working monk-saint, St. Charbel!

We are so happy for them!

It will be a struggle at first for Mommy and Baby to get into the rhythm of things. The afterbirth pains, the sleepless nights, the nursing strain. Once again, with the anticipation of the wonder of a new baby comes the cross.  But when life settles into a routine, the joy will be increased with that beautiful monotony.

As with everything, when we struggle (and we do regularly) and then when it is passed, we so much appreciate everything, seemingly mundane, with greater intensity. If we allow ourselves to stay in the present and really experience life, the everyday moments become balm to our souls.

Many people feel let down after Christmas. Not me. I look forward to days of monotony. They won’t be monotonous. I will be filling it up with something…or nothing (that is good, too)!

These quieter days do not ask much of us—only that we remain where we are, and receive the peace that stays.

There is a joy that comes only after the excitement has passed, when love remains and life continues in small, faithful ways. It is the way of a Catholic life. And that joy and peace is not earned except through the cross. We thank God for it.

“Life should be a perpetual joy, the joy of living for God, of serving Him in one’s neighbor, of saving souls, the austere joy found in suffering. There is the joy of living in a present of infinite value, joy for a past entrusted to the Divine Mercy, joy for a future assured by His Paternal Providence.” -Achieving Peace of Heart, Fr. Narciso Irala

When we are on our deathbed, it won’t be how much we have accomplished, how clean our house is or how many Christmas cookies we baked…. It will be: Do I go to the door to greet my husband when he comes home? Do I take the time to listen to him? Did I take time out to look and listen when the kids were talking to me? Did I read them a bedtime story? Did I make sure they said their prayers? These are the priorities… If you enjoy this video , please Like and Subscribe.

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