Christmas is full of symbols – lighted trees, wreaths on the door, candlelight Christmas Eve services, cards, gifts, parties – the list is endless and as varied as the celebrants. I find each year that the shopping, decorating and parties seem less enthralling but there are a couple of traditions that really ground me with what symbolizes Christmas.
This morning we heard our church choir present their Christmas cantata and the music, coupled with a full orchestra and the decorations, put me in just the right mindset for what this holiday is truly about. I loved when they sang “There’s A Song In The Air” because it reminded me of the choir musicals in which I participated as a kid. We always sang that song near the end as we encircled the balcony area of our church and I remember that was when we lit out candles – and then we finished the program with “Silent Night.”
Tonight we had dinner at Tammy and Steve’s and exchanged gifts with them. We took chili left from dinner on Thursday and they supplied all the fixin’s and cornbread. But the best part was dessert!
Tammy had made pecan drops following my mother’s recipe and she paired them with Spumoni ice cream. Nothing says Christmas to me – or reminds me more of Christmas dinner at my parents’ house – than Spumoni ice cream and Christmas cookies. And the pecan drops and spritz cookies were always my favorites.
It’s still a few days…and 1350 miles….until Christmas Day in Phoenix but for me, the season has arrived and life is wonderful. I’ve heard the music and the scripture that signify the season and I’ve had my inner child nourished with my mom’s special dessert.
The gifts from our kids were very special and very generous but it’s hard to top Spumoni and pecan drops.
