In a few minutes I will start getting ready. In just a few hours, our house will fill up with the voices of loved ones. The air will smell like egg bake, fruit breads, coffee, and cinnamon candles. The tables are set – 12 are coming and that’s just too crowded for the big table. Four of us will sit at the little table – most likely Terri, her grandboys, and me. The 2 of us big girls sort of all belong at the “kids” table.

We’ll light up the three little artificial trees. They might be fake but I sure do like the way they twinkle.

They’ll stay and talk. We’ll remember Christmases past and ask each other what we think the very first Christmas was like. At least I’ll ask. Then, if I’m not satisfied with the answers, I’ll ask questions that will hopefully get us to dig into the story a little deeper. I’m stubborn that way.

The little boys coming belong to our niece Sarah and her husband Darwin. I used to sit at the kid’s table with Sarah and her brother Mark along with other nieces and nephews. We had a grand time! Today, I’m going to watch her energetic little ones. I know I’ll see her imprint in Jack’s face and in Josh’s ways. I’ll also see their daddy’s stamp here there. What I’ll really be looking at and savoring it in my soul is two little boys created in the image of God. Then, I’ll look at their great grandparents, grandparents, and aunts & uncles present and look for God’s image there as well. I wonder where I’ll see Him in each one. Will I hear Him in Jack’s laugh? Josh’s more serious contemplations? Greatgrandpa’s prayer? Greatgrandma’s tender touch? Uncle Jon’s heart?

The puppies will be delighted to have company and will add to the joyful commotion. We will laugh. We will share. There might even be tears - most of us have had a really hard year. Perhaps today being together and remembering Jesus will ease our burdens a bit. The laughter of children and wagging dog tails usually seem to help.

Right now I can hardly wait until my bunch gets here for brunch!