They sorted through the bags looking for the tags, checking the numbers. This year they can read the numbers on our Advent calendar themselves.
22 . . . 19 . . . 18 . . .12 . . .9 . . . 11 . . . 8 . . . 6
“Six!”
Even before the book is out of the cloth bag, jolly with gingerbread men, they start exclaiming, the little one peering over the big one’s shoulder.
“Oh, I LOVE that book!”
“Me too! I luv it”
And then “Can we read it now?”
I sit on the couch and snuggle in on either side of me, a red head resting on one side, the a blond one on the other. I melt into that middle.
“On Christmas eve, many years ago,” I begin.
My big girl half shivers next to me, anticipating the rest of the story, and leans in a little closer. I smile and keep reading.
I heard the bell for many years, but then nothing. I worried that I’d never hear it again, that Christmas would be quiet and dim in our house.
Even though this month is still full of shadows, light has returned—the gentle glow of the Christmas tree, the warming light of the fire, the dancing excitement in my girls’ eyes.
They run around the house sometimes singing “Jingle Bells” and shaking the bracelets they made with tiny bells pipe cleaners. It’s a tinny sound, but in that enthusiasm, I can almost hear the richer, magical tones of that other bell.
When I’m done reading, we sit for a minute in the warmth and light and quiet before, I prompt them, “Time to get ready.”
The sky, and with it the room, has brightened. The bus will be here soon. In the bright kitchen, I stir oatmeal and call out to the girls to get dressed, but throughout the day there is that moment of peace and warm light and maybe a little magic.
Do you hear the bell at Christmas?
In the comments, share something that gives you comfort or joy this time of year.
Beautiful story.
I love being warm inside, sitting by the Christmas tree with its lights on, sipping a hot herbal candycane tea.
Wait! You’ve given me an idea. Breakfast by the tree! (It’s dark until nearly 9am here). Then I’ll be sipping a hot coffee instead!
Breakfast by the tree sounds delightful!
It is dark later wherever you are—may your days be filled with other light!
Something about this made me get very emotional. Beautifully written and a beautiful message about creating traditions. For some reason every time I read the word Bell… all I could think of “Everytime a bell rings, an angel gets its wings.” Thanks for warming my heart.
You’re welcome, Kerin. I hadn’t thought about that bell, but I know angels who got their wings this time of year.
December always reminds me of that classic Dickens line: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. For us, far away from home and family can be lonely but it also gives us a chance to make our own traditions, and ring our own bell. This year, it is about boys who can finally tell the Christmas story, with their very own embellishments. (Did you know Baby Jesus had a robot, Mama? It helped him feed the animals.)
I love the addition of the robot : )
Sara,
What a beautiful little glimpse into a pre-Christmas moment in your home with your children.
Children bring the joy, for sure. Seeing life through their eyes helps us focus on the important things. I understand why the light went out for you and i understand how the girls are lighting it up again. It is because you are allowing them to. You love them enough to let them open your heart again to their light.
When i think of a bell, i think of the phrase ( paraphrased) ‘every bell has a crack….that is how the light comes in’. I think Leonard Cohen nailed it when he wrote that. You exhibit the truth of it in your writing. Beautiful words. Beautiful mom. How lucky Henry and the girls are to have you as their mom.
Love,
P
Leaving aside the timeless A Christmas Carol, probably my favorite holiday story is The Christmas Tree by Julie Salamon, about an elderly nun who has to decide whether to let her beloved “Tree” get cut down for Rockefeller Center. A short, sweet, and touching read!
I don’t think I know that one, Janice. I’ll check it out. (Nice to see you here!)