Christmas Peace

It's two nights before Christmas Eve, and I just finished an annual holiday ritual - baking the soft, white sugar cookies that are cut out in the shapes of animals, bells, crosses, and Christmas trees, and then decorated with frosting and colored sugar sprinkles.

While there's no denying the fact that the end result is a yummy treat, it's the creation of the product - not the consumption - that is most personally satisfying.

The recipe comes from my maternal grandmother, Doretta Witt. The old, wooden rolling pin that I use to press the rich dough into a flat circle is hers, too, as is the crockery mixing bowl - complete with the hairline crack that, quite possible, is the handiwork of yours truly from days long since past.

Christmas would not be 'Christmas' in my mind without Grandma's cookies for a simple reason - it's a personal link to dearly loved family member who may not be physically present, but remains very much alive in my memory.

That fact was crystallized this week in a conversation with Sue Parker who provided information for an article I was writing about the feelings of loneliness and despair that many area families deal with during the holidays. A comment Sue made about loved ones who have passed away brought Grandma immediately to mind.

"People stay with us - they continue to touch our lives in our daily experiences," Sue said.

How true that is.

It is especially important during this season of the year when we want so desperately to attain a measure of the peace and joy that is supposed to fill our hearts and minds.

Sometimes it seems like an impossible task. Even reaching back and grabbing hold of a beautiful memory cannot erase completely other equally vivid mental images that are dark and disturbing.

Every individual carries within themselves their own personal suffering - missed opportunities; bad decisions; costly mistakes; regrets and failures, both large and small.

Mixed with the holiday cheer are feelings of sadness - it's a common human denominator.

But, there is a light that breaks through the gloom. It emanates from the manger in Bethlehem, bringing the peace that truly does surpass all human understanding.

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27

On this Christmas Sunday, whether your heart is heavy or filled with joy, may we all look to the manager and echo Martin Luther's words in "From Heaven Above to Earth I Come."

"Ah, dearest Jesus, holy Child,
Make Thee a bed, soft, undefiled,
Within my heart that it may be,
A quiet chamber kept for Thee."

Wishing you Christmas Peace and Love.