Same Story
/
“Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19
When I think of the Christmas season, one story comes to the forefront of my memories. When I was a teenager our house burnt down on Sunday, December 23rd. My life changed in many ways that day. I had no place to call home, and I lost all my material possessions. My family had no home, but we still had a farm with animals that needed care. I lived with my grandmother for three months. My brother who was still living at home, went to live with another brother. My parents lived in a small RV on the farm to care for the animals until other arrangements for a home could be made.
Out of the ashes of this tragedy, God still brought good. Our church family and community rallied around our family and provided support and needed clothing and financial assistance. At a young age, I learned that relationships are more important than possessions. I have told this story many times throughout my life, but it reminds me not to focus on material possessions and that God can bring good out of the bad and brokenness of life. The story never grows old as I remember God’s love and care through others during this tragedy.
Christmas is a time to share stories and memories. Not everyone has happy memories, but God can bring good out of the bad. God can redeem the memories. Some people remember Christmas presents, Christmas programs at school and church, snow, favorite foods, worship services, and most of all the people with whom we shared the season. We remember how we felt, and the emotions connected to the joy of the season.
When my siblings gather, we begin to share memories of Christmas and retell the stories. We all tell the same story first. The story always goes something like this – “remember when we had to buzz (cut) wood every Christmas morning before we could unwrap our presents.” We heated our house with two wood stoves, and my dad knew he could get all of us to help with the wood when the motivation was Christmas presents. It is the same story that never grows old.
The story of the birth of Jesus is the same story that is told each year at Christmas. This story never grows old. It is timeless and never loses its relevance and power. Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem. Mary gives birth to Jesus and lays him in a manger. The angels appear to the shepherds. The Shepherds come. The wise men bring gifts. God comes to earth in the form of a baby to redeem the world. The story never grows old. It never changes. God still comes.
I wonder how many times Mary shared the story of Jesus’ birth throughout her life. Telling of the angel appearing to her announcing that she was chosen to give birth to the Messiah. How Joseph did not leave her but believed her and the angel who appeared to him. The journey to Bethlehem and giving birth, and all those who came to see the baby. It was the same story that never grew old for Mary. She treasured the memories.
Christmas is a time of memories and stories. When we tell and retell the stories, Christmas becomes more than just a day. The stories become alive again. The memories are real and a part of who we are. The memories are about relationships that gave meaning to our lives.
Never stop sharing your memories. Tell the same old story over and over again because it has meaning to your life. You are who you are because of these memories and the people who are in these memories. Your loved one comes alive again in your heart as you tell the same stories. The stories reveal the love that never ends.
Christmas is a love story. God loves us so much that He came to earth as a baby to redeem us. Keep telling your story. Keep telling the Christmas story. Both stories are about the deep love that is in your heart.
My Books on Amazon
Live Different Moments
Living In The Different
https://www.amazon.com/Living-Different-passages-through-sorrow/dp/0998310239/
Life Lessons of a Lone Trooper
https://www.amazon.com/Life-Lessons-Lone-Trooper-Legacy/dp/0998310255/
