12/25/2025
"For unto us a Child is born, unto us
a Son is given;..."
Isaiah 9:6
"For God so loved the world that He gave
His only begotten Son...!"
John 3:16
Years ago when we first moved to Las Vegas, New Mexico, we purchased an existing Hallmark business as our source of livelihood. Prior to this I loved Hallmark, because the stores were magical to me at the time, as they always seemed to have the best cards and unique gifts. Christmas was particularly festive and fun, full of cheer, and imaginatively arranged on the shelves, merchandised well for ascetic appeal. I would give my parents an ornament for their tree each year before and followed the tradition after we purchased the business. The first year they had a Santa Claus doll who played a special Christmas message if you pushed the button in his hand, "Remember, the magic of Christmas lies in your heart." I always loved what he said, as Christmas has always been magical to me, not in an earthly way, but in the supernatural glory and majesty of God. But now I call it miraculous, because indeed it is! Just considering what God did...for us! And Jesus did in obedience...for us! The mystery of it all is too wonderful for imagination!
I've heard the stories of Saint Nicholas, and sometimes the story changes, but they all speak of a man with an incredible loving and giving spirit. When my children were growing up, we did tell them the truth, as with the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy, but we still managed to have a bit of fun. I've never been a big decorator during the holidays; my life is pretty simple, but I do love to give gifts and see people's reactions when remembered. Each year in November my sister's church puts together the Samaritan Purse's shoe boxes for the children in other countries, and I would love to see the reaction on their faces when they get their boxes with little gifts and clothing. The nursing homes are places where there is a lot of sadness, and some residents seldom receive visits, so once I'm up and running again, I hope to begin visiting the facility near my home. Hopefully, they won't have rules that keep me from visiting.
My son and I enjoyed a quiet Christmas this year. I always love watching Miracle on 34th Street and The Christmas Carol. So far I haven't watched It's a Wonderful Life, plus some of my daughter's favorites. We call it our Christmas tradition. Since she lives in the southwest, and I live in the southeast, we have to plan what to watch and when. Then she watches it there, and I watch it here. It's not the best, but at least we try. If I made a Christmas wish, it would be that we could all be together for Christmas, just like we used to be. It's hard when we lives so far apart.
We always have a traditional Northern New Mexico meal for Christmas of green chili chicken enchiladas, pinto beans, and rice, with a homemade coconut pie for dessert. It would have been nice to have tamales, but I haven't been able to find anyone who makes them here, and they take a very long time to prepare. Tamales at Christmas is a southwestern favorite, especially in Northern New Mexico, and my friends were experts at the art, and it is an art! Here in Virginia people enjoy ham, and they eat turkey on Thanksgiving, as do most people across cultures. Growing up my papa used to have a smoke house, and I remember the country hams, very salty, but now I really don't like pork, and it's one of those questions I am asking God about. I think my list of questions may be growing.
Evening is here, everyone has their lights on, and it is festive and bright, but extremely quiet in this old neighborhood. Earlier I saw people walking their dogs, as the weather was warmer today, unlike Christmas weather should be. I dreamed of a white Christmas, but this year I missed out. Still, With God in the midst of our celebration, snow is not needed. The true miracle of Christmas has nothing to do with snow or trees or traditional foods. It has everything to do with the miracle of the virgin birth and the birth of our Savior, the Messiah and soon-coming King. It's about His Kingdom come and His will be done. The bright lights of Christmas are beautiful, but the Light of His glory is so much better and brighter, and it leads the way to eternal life. It won't be for one day either; it is for eternity.
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