A thrill of hope: Happy birthday, baby Jesus

Thinking back on memories and traditions help make Christmastime so special. I know I can recall happy memories from my childhood, as well as many magical years of memories Josh and I have had with our three girls. I love watching them come down the stairs on Christmas morning, looking for the gift they’d been wishing for. The magic of Christmas through the eyes of your child is amazing.

A Christmas tradition we started when our girls were young was making a birthday cake for Jesus. The girls helped make the cake, frost it, and decorate it before going to church for Christmas Eve service. After reading “Twas the Night Before Christmas” we would leave carrots for the reindeer and Santa a piece of Baby Jesus’ birthday cake because the girls knew Santa was coming to celebrate Jesus’ birth. After Christmas dinner we would eat the remainder of the birthday cake, complete with singing “Happy Birthday” and blowing out candles. Even though the girls are older, we still celebrate with this tradition every year.  When I blow out my candle, I am thinking of the hope that comes with the birth of our Savior, and am so thankful for the gift God gave us in Jesus.

In a year where many celebrations have been cancelled or postponed, and the gathering sizes are smaller than usual, there are still memories to be made. I venture to say we will all remember the Christmas of 2020 for many reasons, some good, some bad, and some sad. In making those memories this year, take time to celebrate the hope that comes with the birth of Jesus, along with hope that with Jesus, we can manage whatever each day brings.

“God’s grace is enough for anything I will face today.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

Lisa Fiedler teaches preschool at St. Paul in the Butterfly Room. She lives in Bettendorf with her husband Josh and three daughters.