The eighth day of Christmas, the day we remember the Circumcision and Naming of Jesus. It wasn’t until a couple weeks later I given much thought about this weekend being New Year’s Weekend. A stranger asked what I’d done for New Years. It took me a minute to remember, then it was there, what I’d done. I’d mourned the death of my child. I couldn’t tell them that though. I think I only said, “Not much.”
On New Year’s Day God comforted me with His Word from Isaiah 61.
And I continued what I’d been doing earlier during Christmastide, a gift basket on the table each morning. Just odds and ends I’d been meaning to give the babies anyway. I like to make a little special.
The kids played Pick Up Sticks for the first and I think the last time because I haven’t seen the sticks since….
I also made a pitiful attempt at an exciting Christmas snack….The Friendly Beasts, or Animal Crackers and frosting. The babies were not amused. The frosting yum, the beasts? Nah.
And there was a very Merciful rendition of Jingle Bells. Hey!
For the Baptized, every year is a great year of jubilee, a year of praise.
And God in His mercy and grace gives you those precious moments with the little ones who don’t yet know sorrow. Mercy is a good name for her!
Those are comforting words indeed.