Sacred Connections: 'Twas the night before Christmas

Reading this classic tale on Christmas Eve has been a tradition in my family for over four decades – going back to our son, Ryan’s first Christmas in 1979. Ryan’s Dad, Ira, is Jewish, yet he was comfortable with Christmas trees and Santa Claus so one of Ryan’s first large picture books was The Night Before Christmas written by Clement Clarke Moore. And we also had a large picture book telling the story of Jesus’ birth, When Joy Came – The story of the First Christmas. I had brought both home in anticipation of our first Christmas as a family, but the story of Jesus’ birth was more difficult for Ryan’s Dad to accept.

There are times when life presents us with clarifying moments and that was one of them. On the deepest level I knew that I couldn’t tell our son only about Santa Claus, that I wanted him to know from his earliest age of the birth of Jesus we were remembering and celebrating each year. And I knew likewise that Easter could not be only about a bunny, it would also have to include the cross. Sometimes in interfaith marriages we may not fully discern what is deeply at our core, and what has more room for compromise. I had been away from the church for almost a decade at that point, and I was surprised by the depth of my own response. But my own motherhood and sharing the story of the birth of Jesus felt somehow connected and held deeply in my heart.

Beautiful Christmas services and our wonderful Christmas pageants at Church of the Redeemer eventually eclipsed the reading of When Joy Came. I remember one Christmas pageant when Ryan was Joseph and he asked the then rector, Jim Hanisian, what he should do in that role. Jim responded to just do what new fathers did. I think Jim was most surprised of all when he caught a glimpse of Joseph handing out candy cigars at the end. Priceless memories are to be savored and cherished always, and especially this year.

This Christmas we are all likely doing things a little differently. Some are decorating more than ever with more time at home. Some are barely putting up a wreath, or an ornament or light. A conversation with friends revealed that this couple would be home alone this year for the first time, and they were actually a bit giddy with the freedom from preparing a huge meal and all the dishes and disarray. For others of us, that “freedom” may also bring tears. We may long for the Christmas we took for granted only a year ago. Even the last-minute shopping, packing, heavy crowds at airports, seem nostalgic to some of us this year.

This Christmas Eve I’ll be in a parking lot at Ursuline Academy with many of you. My dog, SweetP and I will be in our car, tuned into the worship via radio, and participating in our first Drive-in Christmas service ever. A year ago, we couldn’t have imagined this. Now we’re game for anything that allows us to be together safely, to pray and sing together albeit in the bubbles of our own cars. Whatever we experience this night, we can be certain it will be memorable, and God is in our midst whether we are in the Church of the Redeemer Sanctuary or a spacious parking lot. We will gather with thanksgiving to celebrate new life, we will seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit through this difficult time, and we will pray for new healing in our very hurting world.

Then afterwards, SweetP and I’ll head home, to some warmth, some quiet cheer, and a Facetime call with family. This year, my Granddaughter Elia has already claimed the honor of reading The Night before Christmas to her folks, to her Grandpa Ira who remembers this story despite his dementia, and to me. Ever since that first Christmas we’ve not missed a year of sharing cherished memories and the precious gift of love.

May we all have the warmth of safe shelter and beautiful memories this Christmas. May we all experience our loving connection with family, friends, and our Church of the Redeemer community, even when we are physically apart. May we all celebrate the light of Jesus’ birth with hope in the healing that is to come.