Readers share favorite Christmas memories

Mom finds Christmas spirit in her children’s happiness

By Lisa Marie Taylor
Special to The Criterion

It was four days before Christmas 2004. It had been a rough year, and a rough week. The flu had slowed me down and kept me inside for the past four days. The phone didn’t ring. Everyone was too busy. It was as quiet as quiet can be with a small house full of four children. It was nice with no outside distractions yet I was bordering on the edge of depression. I was in need of the Christmas spirit.

“I’m heading out,” I told my husband, John.

As I drove, I thought about our small Christmas. Would the children notice? Would they be happy with the wonder of Christmas and understand the reason we celebrate? Do I? I had checked the balance in our checking account before I left home. I still hadn’t bought a gift for John.

With just a little money to last until payday, I reminded myself that we never really spent a lot on presents for each other—just a couple things that we needed and a few surprises. We had learned during the past year that there are needs and there are immediate needs. Food and house bills came first, and all else could wait.

As I arrived at the dollar store and stepped out of the car, I heard a loud voice, “Get out of the way!” And another even louder voice, “No, you get out of the way!” There was a war in the parking lot. I walked inside the store feeling even worse. No Christmas spirit here.

Inside the store, I saw the bag of play animals—potty incentives for our 3-year old—and a winter hat and scarf marked 50 percent off. That’s it—a new hat and scarf for John. As I reached the cash register, I helped an elderly lady lift her laundry detergent. She replied, “God bless you!”

I said “thank you” without looking in her eyes. I was too sad inside. However, the cashier was cheerful. I asked about the discount. She said that it would be printed on my receipt. She told me that many people get angry with her.

“It’s Christmas,” she said. “Everyone should be happy.”

I hope this girl never experiences a hard Christmas. Yes, it’s Christmas, and everyone should be happy. Unfortunately, this is a difficult time of year. Emotions run high. Some people are grieving Christmases past. Some are missing loved ones gone to heaven or gone to war. Some are unemployed. Some have little to give. Some will receive little. Some are too busy creating the perfect Christmas that they make everyone around them feel stressed out. Some are missing the point. Some are questioning the point. Some are seeking the Holy One. And some have found him.

As I entered the garage of our home, I heard laughter and the cords to “Silent Night.” My 10-year-old daughter, Jessi, was teaching herself to play the organ. My 7-year-old son, Joey, and his dad were playing cards. Four-year old Maria and 3-year-old Mackenna were climbing all over their dad. It was such a normal scene in our home. It was warm and cozy. I was still feeling sad as I turned on “Oprah” to catch the last few minutes of her show, only to hear Josh Groban’s “Believe.”

Maria and Mackenna came running into the room because they recognized the song from the movie The Polar Express. As we listened and I watched their sweet faces sing that song, I realized that I went looking for the Christmas spirit, but it was here in my home all the time. As tears fell down my face, I thanked God that I am truly blessed with knowing the true meaning of this season and the spirit of love that is alive in each one of us.

I thought about the words to Groban’s song: “When it seems the magic slipped away, We find it all again on Christmas day… Believing what you feel inside, Give your dreams the wings to fly. You have everything you need, if you just believe… .”

It was late in the evening on Christmas Day last year when my son came to me with a hug, exclaiming that this was the best Christmas ever. I will never forget that meager Christmas because it was through that experience that I found the true reason we celebrate. I found what I was looking for alive in the spirit of my children’s wonder and excitement. I found the Christ child. This Christmas—with renewed faith—we await the birth of our fifth blessing and know that in this miracle we will find God’s loving grace.

(Lisa Marie Taylor is a member of St. Barnabas Parish in Indianapolis.) †