On Emmaus Road

One of my fondest Christmas memories growing up was making Christmas candy with my mom. Chocolate covered peanut and raisin clusters. Chocolate covered pretzel rods and Oreos - tiny, little holly mint leaves. There was so much chocolate. It would take us hours over the course of the month to make all the chocolate for Christmas and to give away as gifts.

Sometimes we would listen to Christmas music or watch a movie to pass the hours. But often we would just chat as we made the candy. We would chat about family, friends, and all the little life things. Looking back it was one of the best things of the season.

It was always a big choice to decide to make the candy - it was no small undertaking, it was on top of all the cookies my sister, mom and I would make. And eventually a Christmas came that I didn’t make the candy. I don’t know if the last time I made the candy was the first Christmas after my mom died, but I feel like it was. Mostly because I wanted that Christmas to feel like she was still with us, and I worked hard to try to achieve that. But I don’t think I’ve made it since, a good seven years.

That is, until two Sundays ago. I was on my way home after church and thought - I think I’d like to make Christmas candy this year. So I got the ingredients and proceeded to spend the afternoon making some of the candy in my childhood home.

Ofcourse it wasn’t the same without my mom, but there were some sweet memories that flashed though my mind while making them. Memories that I has forgotten about and to remember them was a true blessing. A blessing I wasn’t expecting, but am so very grateful for.

I’m going to encourage you to think back over your Christmases and see if there is something that you haven’t done in a long time. Try to do it this year, see what sweet memories might play through your mind. And if you happen to be blessed enough to remember some you’ve forgotten about, make sure to thank the one who blessed you with that extra special Christmas gift. He really does love us so much.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann