It’s Christmas Eve in Minnesota. As the temperature flirted with the freezing point the last few days, precipitation fell as rain instead of snow. As a snow lover, I have to say I’m a bit disappointed–well, actually more than a bit. But this is Christmas!
We don’t have a real Christmas tree this year like we always have in the past. We have had balled and burlapped trees, cut your own from the fir forest, cedar trees from the fence line, free ones from the grocery store on Christmas Eve, and even one delivered to our house by the tree trimmers who gave us the beautiful top of a fir they had to cut away from the power lines. We have had trees that were perfectly shaped and others that were Charlie Brown trees. It didn’t matter–they were all enchanting when decorated with lights, our homemade sweet-gum ball garland, and our mish-mash of ornaments accumulated over all the years of marriage and the raising of three children.
This year, for various reasons, we have a two-foot artificial tree that used to be in one of the kids’ bedroom for Christmas joy. As a real tree lover, I’m a bit disappointed. But this is Christmas!
We aren’t going to be with our kids or families this year for the first time ever. Two of our kids are together in Austin for a warm Texas Christmas, and the other will be with Brake family uncles, aunts, and cousins in Kansas City. Our tentative plans to gather with the Andersens in South Dakota were foiled with the vacillating forecast of rain or snow and Chris’ snow removal responsibilities. As one who loves and adores our kids and our families, I am very disappointed. But this is Christmas!
One of the plants in our woods that is seldom seen in the winter because of the snow is Wintergreen or Gaultheria. Wintergreens continue photosynthesis in the winter. Like the pines, spruces, and firs, it is ‘evergreen.’ Gaultheria has a sweet, woodsy odor when bruised and contains an oil that is commonly used as the minty flavoring in chewing gum, mints, tobacco products, and toothpaste. It has been used as a folk remedy for muscle and joint pain, inflammation, poor circulation, and a whole host of other problems, as it contains methyl salicylate. As a nature lover, I am thrilled to see the wintergreen. And this is Christmas!
I have no nostalgic, Kinkade-like photos to share with you this Christmas–no beautiful snow scenes, no twinkling, decorated evergreens. These pictures taken this morning are rather gray and drab, but this is Christmas! We will get more snow to satisfy all the Minnesota snow lovers. And we are surrounded by trees–pines, firs, spruces–of all sizes and shapes–outdoor Christmas trees. We have a few presents under our pint-sized artificial tree. One of those presents has been under our tree every year since 2005. It was a gift given to Chris by his Mom and Dad–a leather wallet wrapped in ‘hohoho’ wrapping paper. For some reason, he unwrapped it very carefully, lifting the tape, not tearing the paper. Since he didn’t need a new wallet at the time, he wrapped it back up. It was the last gift Chris got from his Mom and Dad before they died. He puts it under the tree each Christmas so he always has a present from them.
Our kids should have a happy Christmas in Texas and Missouri with family and friends who are dear to them. They have the memories of all our Christmas pasts–times that hopefully sustain them with the love that was freely given, no matter what was under the tree. We miss the kids but carry them with us in our hearts. Chris and I will experience a ‘Christmas Eve in the Barn’ service this evening and a meal together tomorrow with dear friends of our own. And through it all, we are reminded that the remedy for all the problems of the Earth is born again tonight. We welcome the Light! After all, this is Christmas!
What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace.
–Agnes M. Pharo
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