Christmas Musings of Ethan’s Grandmama Tatum

The first Christmas with a grandchild. WOW, it blows my mind to think that there will be a new family member in our home at Christmas. We went out and bought toys! It has been so many years since that has happened. I find I think about Christmas differently and try to see it through the new eyes of my grandson.

True, he is very young, 3.5 months at Christmas. He will probably not remember this Christmas, but his grandmamma will store up treasures, memories, in her heart. It also brings up a myriad of thoughts on safety. Will he be able to crawl around to put fingers where they don’t belong? Not this Christmas; for sure next Christmas. Can I buy him a truck or car? Well, not ones with moving wheels anyway. I expect him to look in wonder at the lights on the Christmas tree. He already likes to look at lights after all. He might reach out and grab one! Add LED lights to the list. As the son of a harpist and a French Hornist, he is already intrigued by music. I remember Christmas carols that spoke about the baby in the manger and crying out for a child on at least two Christmases. Now this new child represents the image of God as man. Oh, the wonder of it all. To add to the wonder, next Christmas we’ll have two grandsons!

Ethan’s Great-Gran and Great-Grandma can’t wait to see him and touch him. As we say in the South, “Can’t wait to get my hands on that boy!” Touching him makes him real. Allowing Jesus in our lives, allowing Him to touch us, makes Him oh-so-real. As we anticipate the child in our home for Christmas, let us also anticipate not just the child in the manger, but the arrival of the Son of Man, Son of God, in our hearts, in our traditions, and especially as Savior.

Jesus is the reason for the season. Keep Jesus close to your heart this Christmas.

“For to us a son is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV)