Every year we have gone to church on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We’ve also had a special dinner at home on the 25th except for the year we were in Germany. This year plans were made early for niece Kathie and son Max to join us. COVID intervened, as both tested positive. She wrote us that they went to church on line, looked at the gifts in their stockings and celebrated the song, “Go Tell it on the Mountain”. They packed up their lunch, camp chairs, presents, and their porch snowman without arms, and drove to the mountains. There they sat beside a pretend fire ring and celebrated in the warm air (65F/ 18.8C). You know they will remember this Christmas the rest of their lives. I love their indomitable spirit of faith and hope.
A week ago we overheard neighbor Shawn say they would not be with family, so we pressed them to celebrate with us. Our phones had been silenced for church, so we missed the text that they were invited at the last minute to be with their son. She wrote, “I’m so sorry.”
My reply came easily from the heart, “Don’t be sorry since this must be an answer to prayer! We’ll be joyful instead.”
As our pastor taught me, you don’t promise to pray for people, you do it that instant. I wrote a quick prayer and sent it to her. I tell you, this kind of thing makes life much more exciting! You get God in the middle of a situation, and you never know what joy will come your way. We didn’t think Shawn, Bob, and Logan would be eating with us. John, John $pencer, David, and I were hungry, so we decided to go ahead and eat the main part of the meal. If they came later, we would sit with them and chat while they ate. Perfect! They texted they were on their way before the food was cold. We would eat Shawn’s sweet potato casserole and our salad after they joined us.
God doesn’t do things in a stingy manner. Neighbor Joyce called. We knew her dinner guest was having trouble getting here, and Joyce let us know the woman cancelled. Would she join us? Yes! She would! We all sat down together and ate leisurely. We had a full table of the best neighbors in the world.
Son John $ took a video of the flaming Christmas pudding. Most of us tasted it, but everyone had a piece of the delicious pumpkin pie Shawn had made.
Shawn wondered if anyone would be willing to go for a walk. We all knew it was the best thing to do after a heavy meal. John was excused, because he was loading the dishwasher and cleaning the pots and pans. Only Logan had wheels, his scooter, which I think was new to him last year. David expressed interest in trying it, and Logan graciously shared it. I told Logan that was the greatest gift he could have given David. Later David said he was sorry he hadn’t thanked Logan properly before they went home. He was thrilled with his time on the scooter.
Joyce had expected her daughter to spend half a week here, but she tested positive for COVID and couldn’t come. Her new plan was to share Christmas with a friend who would also be alone. As you read, that bombed, too. They did have their festive dinner the following day. Our Christmas was not what any of us thought it would be, but I think it worked out beautifully for everyone. Put God in the director’s seat, and you could be in for a wild and wonderful ride!
Christmas blessings to all of you. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for loving all people, especially those who read this post. You sent us Jesus — Emmanuel, God with us. Help us respond to your eternal love and your longing to be in a relationship with us. God, bless us all. Amen.
Mehrling Muse 
What a great post – worthy of reading over several times! Beautiful prayer, beautiful sentiments and I almost felt like I was there with you. What a lovely gathering!
Love, Janet
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I wish you could have been here with us. We had a marvelous day.
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What a beautiful Christmas that ended up being. Love the prayers and blessings in real time. Great idea. I often shoot off a prayer before I tell people I will be praying. But I don’t actually tell them that. The extra step is a great idea. Blessings for your and your household in the upcoming year. Love you!
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Instant praying has changed my life a bit. I find it exciting. Happy new year!!!
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It all works out one way or another. All good!
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Amen….You are so blessed to have a fun meighborhood of wonderful friends.
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We are indeed blessed with marvelous neighbors. Everyone helps any who need help. We are here to weep and rejoice with each other.
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What a delightful Christmas you ended up having. Everyone looks so happy. xo
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Christmas was exciting and satisfying for all of us.
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Sounds like a fantastic way to celebrate Christmas Anne! And I love that tablecloth…so pretty.
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This was one of the best Christmases we’ve had, and none of it went as planned.
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“Put God in the director’s seat, and you could be in for a wild and wonderful ride!”
Anne…what a lovely way of expressing what Scripture affirms…surrendering to that kind of life is wild and wonderful.
You remind me of Ronald Reagan’s favorite cowboy story who was shoveling through a huge pile of manure. A passerby asked what he was doing. The cowpoke said: “Are you kidding? There must be a pony in here somewhere.”
Always look for the bright and beautiful, even in a Covid storm!
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It was an amazing day, which encourages me to look for others to match it.
I’m so glad to see you up early and writing. We’ve been thinking of you and praying for you.
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I love that you “put God in the director’s seat” what a wonderful way to live. Thank you for the beautiful prayer. God bless you.
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Some days I get it better than others. Christmas was a special close-to-God day.
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Your words are so encouraging and powerful. If only we would stop to remember that God is in the director’s seat and he provides everything we need to experience. Everything we live is part of the adventure… be it exciting, or a difficulty we are challenged with. I love the way you roll with life, Anne. It’s inspiring!!
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I think many Christians have exceptional experiences, but we don’t always lean on God with complete trust. If only we did!
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Another special holiday gathering with good food, family and friends. You are blessed Anne.
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Yes, I have been richly blessed. I try to be grateful for it every day.
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I know you know this already. It is obvious through your posts and pictures.
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Such inspiration here! Thank you sweet Anne-and what a blessed time!
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Christmas was blessed for us. We have a busy time this weekend, so I need to stay connected to the source of blessings. That connection slipped when we had some computer issues yesterday. I threw all my brain power at them, when I should have prayed my way through the problems. I suspect the Devil lives in our router.
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