It’s Christmas morning. Piano music drifts sweetly from the Alexa in the kitchen as I sip a cup of coffee. All is calm. My husband sits in his recliner reading something while the pups chew on a new water buffalo horn. All is quiet.

Years past looked different. I would fall into bed exhausted on Christmas Eve after finally getting everyone ready for bed. I’d wait for the children to fall asleep and sneak into the living room to grab the stockings. Filled with goodies and gifts I’d quietly return them to the living room. Christmas morning came early and burst with excited children, laughter, homemade cinnamon rolls, presents, stockings, candy, toys, and games. Then we would be off to visit grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles.

But I blinked and my children grew up. They spent Christmas Eve with other family and significant others last night. As my husband and I sat quietly at the breakfast table this morning we reminded each other that this is exactly what we worked so hard for. Our goal was to raise them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and have fun doing it. Then shoot them out into the world as arrows in the hand of a mighty man. We want them to have their own families and their own Christmas traditions. We want them to look forward to coming back home to visit.  I’m at peace with this quiet Christmas morning and season of life.

Every season is beautiful. As I contemplate the years my mind wonders to things the mother of Jesus kept in her heart. After the birth of Christ and the visit by the Shepherds, scripture tells us that “Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart,” Luke 2:19. No doubt that as her Son grew and begin His earthly ministry she reflected on those early wonders. No doubt that as she beheld Him upon the criminals cross her mind went back to the cradle and the prophetic words of Simeon that, “Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,” Luke 2:35. And there is no doubt that after the resurrection of Christ there were mornings Mary sat in silence and pondered the fleeting years with her Son. How she must have anticipated the day she would once again behold His glory face to face.

Likewise, I look with anticipation to the day we shall behold Him—the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. My prayer is that until then, I live a life pointing others to Him. I pray that my children and grandchildren see Jesus in me and that my days are filled with service to Him. I’ll spend this quiet morning in prayer for them and ask God to continue to shine His face upon them. Then tonight we’ll all gather at church for a special candlelight service. Afterwards, they will spend the evening and next day at home once again.