Christmas lights and Christmas nights

The cool breeze hit her face as she walked around the park, marveling at the lights. A burst of colorful lights gave her eyes a feast, reminding her why this is her favorite time of the year. Rectangular bulbs of different hues, all bright and sparkly hung from the tree branches. The outlines of the church silhouette were emphasized by the linear lights attached to its walls. At the center of the park was the tree, decorated with huge balls and at the top, a star, beckoning the wanderers lost in the dark, to come, just like it did a thousand years ago.

She knew that Christmas is about her savior, but the season also had a special place in her heart. It was during the season, 15 years ago, when he first asked him out. She could still remember the thrill she felt. She’s always had a crush on him but he was way too good looking for him to notice her. But through some stroke of luck, or maybe it was because of the Christmas good cheer, he noticed her, and asked if they’d go out for ice cream.

Ice cream? On a cold night? She was not supposed to date someone she wouldn’t marry.. But she was 24 years old so… a little ice cream wouldn’t hurt her beliefs right? And she said yes.. Then the ice cream led to dinners, and movies, and lunch dates and after a while, she knew..he was the one she would marry.

And they did, three Christmases later, in front of a judge and their witnesses, they sealed their fate and vowed to stand by each other for life, for better or for worse. Christmas became extra joyful that year.. And the material gifts they received didn’t quite match the joy of being with each other as man and wife.

But just a year later, the strength of their vows was tested. Their love went through the fire and both failed to hold on. She left the home and grieved, leaving her ring behind. She gave up easily and went on her way. It was Christmas once again, her saddest to date. She hated the lights on the trees, hated the carols, hated the bells and promised she would throw away the gifts she received. That year she became the grinch. A grinch pregnant with a child.

But on Christmas eve the grinch was visited by her baby daddy. They talked and cried. They knew they were not perfect. That mistakes might be made along the way. That probably they would hurt each other more in the future. That a happy family would probably take a lot of work. But he was up to the task.. And was she?

And that moment she looked into his eyes, realising that there was no other man she was willing to hold, no other one she’d come home to, no other one she’d fight for and fight with, no other one deserving to be the father of her child. No one but him… And they’d both be fools to give up on a marriage that easily, because nothing in life that is worth your while will ever come easy.

So they faced the journey together, the three of them as a family. Sticking it out, fighting but making up, helping each other, lifting each other up. Until four Christmases later, they received another gift. Their second child is coming in the following year. And that was one of their happiest Christmases, a surprise gift was given from up above. HE really made sure Christmas was the happiest season for her.

Her reverie was disturbed by her two boys running around the park. She decided to join them and they ended up giggling and laughing. She knew that many Christmases later, the children would grow up and probably won’t be running around the park anymore. So she cherished these moments and savored them while she still could.

Then he caught him staring at them, the love of her life, her knight in shining armour, he still gives her the butterflies just by staring at her. He joined them in their laughter and tickled them all till they almost fell.

Those moments made her realise, their sacrifices were worth it, that beyond the joy and reverie, Christmas was all about sacrifices, forgiveness, restoration and healing. That was the essence of the baby born long ago. He was born to die for us. A love so unconditional that started on a Christmas night and ended one gloomy afternoon in Calvary. The baby was the epitome of unconditional love. This type of love kept marriages together, families together, friendships intact. And this, hands down, is the greatest gift, humankind ever received on a Christmas night.