My grandma has always been a fixture in our family, but as she has gotten older, it has become more difficult for her to participate in our Christmas festivities. This year, however, she surprised us all by showing up to the Nativity scene, and it was a moment I will never forget.
As we gathered around the manger, admiring the beauty of the scene, I noticed that my grandma was crying. At first, I thought it was because she was overwhelmed by the holiday spirit. But as she wiped away her tears, she began to speak.
“I remember when I was a little girl,” she said. “My family didn’t have much, but we always celebrated Christmas. We would create our own Nativity scene out of whatever we could find, and we would gather around it to sing carols and praise the Lord. I never thought I would be able to do that again.”
My heart swelled with emotion as my grandma spoke. Here was a woman who had lived a long life, filled with love, laughter, and some sadness too. But despite all that, she was still able to find joy in the simple act of celebrating the birth of Christ.
As we continued to stand there, Grandma began to sing. Her voice was weak and quivering, but it was also filled with an undeniable sense of joy. And as she sang, I felt a warmth spread through my body.
It was at that moment that I realized what Christmas was really all about. It’s not about the gifts, the food, or even the decorations. It’s about coming together as a family to celebrate the birth of the one who gave us everything.
So, as we stood there around the Nativity scene, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for my grandma. She had given us all a beautiful gift that Christmas – the opportunity to stand together and appreciate the true meaning of the holiday.
And as we left the manger that day, I knew that I would never forget that moment. It was a moment that reminded me of the power of love, family, and faith. It was a moment that reminded me of what Christmas is really all about. It was a moment that brought us all closer together, and for that, I will always be grateful.