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Christmas Crossing Cultures Memoir

Entry

Entry into the Christmas season. Sometimes shaped by memories—sweet and hard. 

Music fills the air. Old favorites stirring hearts. Touching deep. 

Amid the decorating, familiar traditions, and holiday trappings, I stop. Think about the reason behind it all. 

Take time to reflect. 

And remember.

Christmas tree

Our Christmas tree setup is easy.

Artificial. Pre-lit. Branches pulled out and re-shaped after a year in the cardboard box.

It’s the ornaments that take time. Tossed last December into storage bins and bags. Wrapped carefully in tissue paper. The more hardy ones slung together in a ziplock. 

Eclectic collection. 

Brass. Cloth. Wood. Horn. Papier mâché. Beads.

Remember

From afar we see only the tree’s glowing lights. Up close, we remember stories and people and places we’ve lived. 

Exquisite Kashmiri art on stars and balls and bells. Cloth characters of the Nativity by Thai Country Trim. 

People of the world from various countries. Camels of Karachi. And an Indian Santa.

Family ornaments, handmade, mix and mingle among the globes and brass bells.

A Christmas quilt crafted by Tucson friends anchors the base.

Entry

Entry into Christmas sometimes starts with hands-on preparation. 

Like decorating a tree. Arranging nativity sets. Playing Christmas carols.

But we eventually take time to stop. Light a candle. Sit in the quiet.

And remember the Royal One. 

Son of God

The Son of God’s entry took place in a little town—Bethlehem.  

Born of a virgin. Wrapped in common swaddling cloths. Placed in an ordinary manger. 

The star shone bright. Angels praised God. And shepherds hurried to see “a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).

“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among people with whom He is pleased.”
Luke 2:14

Enter. Take time to reflect. And celebrate our King.

What about you?

How was your entry into the Christmas season? What helps you remember the reason we celebrate?

Related

“O come…” – The time came – Chasing memories – Unto us – Something more – Luke 2:1-20

11 replies on “Entry”

This year has been different with travels from one “home” to another. I am thankful for an Advent devotional to keep me reminded of the Christmas season. Most of my traditions won’t happen this year or will look very different.

The passage of time feels ever shorter with each passing year, and 2025 has felt the more so. I’m just ready for Fall, but here’s Christmas and year’s end. My locale had very wet-weather Thanksgiving and now December, with inches of rainfall expected this week. The dark, wet winter months are a challenge during the celebratory season.

My decorations are in place, but somehow I’m just not in a Christmas frame of mind. Along with Advent readings, I’m thankful for the blessings YouTube can offer…Handel’s ‘Messiah’ is tonight’s feature: “For unto us a Child is born…” “Glory to God in the highest…good will towards men…” “Hallelujah…King of kings and Lord of lords…hallelujah!”

Merry Christmas!

I love Christmas time. My tree is like yours with ornaments from different places and friends. How elaborate this holiday can be compared to His humble beginning. I pray I keep Him in the center/ focus this season

So good to see you this weekend! Thanks for listening! Yes, Christmas is definitely a time for reflection. Thanks for these words.

Decorating my tree and home, planning Christmas parties and activities. Seeing decorations around the city and hearing Christmas music.

‘Enter…’ what revolutionary invitation it is! No less from the Royal, Eternal ALL powerful, wise, knowing, loving, gracious and loving Ancient ONE.
yes… let us pause, enter, linger, dwell and abide !!!
A blessed extraordinary Christmas to all yours and mine fellow followers of Christ , the Lord.

Thanks for reading. I'd love to hear from you!

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