On this day 10 of opening Christmas I paused in my tiny room
I think of as the sun room. Shelves hold my little plants and yes, the floor
beneath provides a bit of storage. The window faces the west where I can sit in
my grandmother’s rocking chair and watch the sun set. A small room, for some
houses probably smaller than the closets. My little house was built in 1949 and
the closet doors are no wider than me. I call it my hobbit house. The ceilings
are low and even my short body and small hands can touch the top of the arched
doorways. It was not built for storage and yet it raised a family of six and
gifted Christmas to grandchildren until my purchase two years ago.
I sat down in the rocker and listened to the squeak of its
old wooden frame. I watched a huge flock of geese pass by the window. I noticed
a new tiny growth at the base of an orchid. A cloud rested from its journey
upon a mountain. I heard the birds gather on the roof awaiting their seed. I
heard the echoes of laughter from children to see wrapped gifts strewn
throughout the house – no place to hide from curious and wondering eyes. My
heart stirred to hear the chorus “fall on your knees” from the song O Holy
Night playing on the CD.
Christmas is about joy. The knock your socks off experience
that shatters any and all illusions of hopelessness. The crumbling of all pretense and doubt that
sends you to your knees in wonder, awe, and joy. It is not about storage and
accumulation. It is not about what surrounds or does not surround you. It is
taking your seat upon the cushion of your heart and shaking with laughter and
tears of joy as you feel the smallness and walls of life explode in love. It is
the joy of transformation such that you will never be the same even after the
calendar has turned.
I’ve warmed the rocker…you’re
welcome to come and take your seat.
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