My Aunt Dot had only one child who died at child birth.  She taught school for many years and loved children.  All her nieces and nephews became her children and we loved her.  She made us all feel that we were special to her. Aunt Dot always had Christmas Eve dinner at her home and loved to come up with something unique to make that evening fun and special.  One year I gave her a Santa doll.  It stood about 8 inches tall on top of a music stand.  When you flipped the switch “ON”, Santa would sway his hips back and forth, dancing to the music.  She loved it and so did all her nieces and nephews.

Aunt Dot lived to be 98 and amidst all her collection of things along the way, Santa doll remained prominent.  Finally in her last years, she carried Santa with her everywhere.  She called him her baby, and she would become anxious if he were not in her arms or close by.  His battery had run out and was perhaps conveniently not replaced.  Aunt Dot never asked about it.

Here is my dear Aunt Dot at 97 years at Christmas time in the Assisted Living home….

She has Santa Baby all nestled in her arms as usual.  Santa Claus has come to visit the Nursing Home and he must be a bit stunned at the appearance of Aunt Dot and Santa Baby.  Perhaps he is thinking…”HOW CAN THIS BE? ”  Could it be Joseph’s story?  Or Elizabeth or Sarah laughing and proclaiming, “I AM TOO OLD FOR THIS!”.

We can laugh at this -it’s OK.  Aunt Dot would be laughing with us from Heaven.  She never lost her faith and with that came the assurance that for REAL one day she would hold her daughter Sharon again in Heaven.  And right now she is doing just that, because baby Jesus came to bring life for all forever.  “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more”.(Rev. 21:4).

Hear the words of the carol, “There’s a song in the air!  There’s a star in the sky!  There’s a mother’s deep prayer, and a baby’s low cry.  And the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing, for the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!

 

Questions to ponder…

Remember a Christmas Eve that stands out in your mind.

How do you picture Heaven?

nk