It is never preplanned, but alas, at some point that evening I’ll find myself standing in the driveway, neck bent and eyes upward to see the stars twinkling in the dark sky.
There always seems to be something special about the sky that night; maybe it’s a little darker or the stars a little brighter. Whatever it may be, it is certainly compelling.
This habit began for me during the drive from church to home. There I would be, wearing my brand-new Christmas dress, seated in the back of the car with my brother and two sisters. I’d press my cheek to the window and look up to the sky.
At the time, I knew we were one of Santa’s first stops for the night. It was an arrangement my parents had made with the jolly man who delivers gifts to good little boys and girls.
They had suspected that upon the delivery of the presents our good behaviour might not hold up as well. My parents couldn’t risk us waking up to presents under the tree on Christmas morning and expect us to hold off opening them until the cows were milked and fed.
Therefore, Mr. Claus would always come while we were in church for the children’s Christmas Eve program, so when we arrived home we could open our gifts yet that evening.
As we traveled the 1 kilometer home that night, I would peer out the window hoping I might get a glimpse of Santa’s sleigh and reindeer as they flew away.
While I never did spot him, there was another Christmas tradition I’d see. As we’d come up the hill, past the neighbour’s house and tree line, there was a star shining bright into the night.
My family didn’t do much for outdoor holiday decorations, but every year my dad would climb to the top of the silo and hang a star made from snow fence lath and a string of Christmas lights. That Christmas star always lit the way to where I’d want to spend my holiday: at home.
In this issue, Ryan Dennis also talks about his trip home for the holidays in his regular column, “The Milk House,” click here to read his article.
Another one of our writers, Tom Wall, shares a special Christmas message (click here to read his article). He finds the meaning within his favourite Christmas carol, “The Little Drummer Boy.”
Another story with a lot of meaning is “Once Upon a Time” to read her article click here. This Christmas tale was found in Christmas in My Heart, Vol. 22. Joe L. Wheeler has compiled the spiritually based Christmas in My Heart series for more than 20 years, sharing several old-fashioned Christmas stories each year.
As always, Yevet Tenney delivers her Christ-centred message (click here to read her article). This time she looks at the parable of our Saviour’s birth, calling out the lessons within so we can reflect on the true meaning of the season.
I know that when I look to the stars this Christmas Eve, beyond the memories of Santa Claus and the comfort of family and home, I will think of the first Christmas star signifying the birth of Jesus Christ.
In that moment I will feel the love of God and the peace his Son brought to the world.
Merry Christmas to you and your family. PD
- Karen Lee
- Editor
- Progressive Dairyman magazine
