Into the Fire

When I was a little girl, I would get up Christmas morning anywhere from 2 to 4 AM and open all of my presents by myself.

Being a lover of Christmas, I’ve enjoyed many wonderful Christmases. But somehow the one which seems to stand out in a memorable way is the one when I got a big new Schwinn bicycle and the beautiful book of Black Beauty with magnificent illustrations.

From pre-kindergarten age through the sixth grade, I took ballet lessons. I remember a couple of Christmas recitals. In one of them I was the “main” character who was dreaming all the events so I got to be in every scene wearing a long flannel nightgown.

I used to make these exorbitant Christmas lists and, of course, at the top every year was the number one desire for a horse. I never wanted a pony. I always wanted a horse.

One year when my mom took me to see Santa I told him I wanted a horse for Christmas and that I would give him a dollar to help pay for it. (A dollar was a lot of money back then. 🙂 )

My only Christmas regret, Lord, is not having known you in my youth. The joy of celebrating your birth transcends it all now. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.