I remember as a little girl waiting for my grandmother to
arrive at Christmas. My brother and I would climb up and kneel on the cedar
chest, faces pressed to the window, watching for Grandma Lydia to pull in the
driveway. As we saw the white Chevrolet turn onto our street, we burst out of the front door in a flurry, anticipating the many tins of cookies packed in the
trunk, along with her beautiful German manger. After hugs and kisses, jumping with excitement we shouted, “Grandma, please open the trunk.” In her gentle voice she said, “Shhh. Be still.” She slowly searched for the keys in her purse, opened the trunk, and there were those beautiful tins packed perfectly in boxes so they would not be damaged during the trip. I can remember my mother, now peeking through the window, smiling as Grandma Lydia filled our arms with cookie tins. Her trust in us was amazing. There was no doubt in her mind that we would get those tins to the kitchen safely.
With the tins stacked neatly on the counter, we were hoping for a taste sooner than later. “Grandma, when do we get to try a cookie?” Again her sweet reply was, “Shhh. Be still.” We waited patiently while she carried her suitcase to the bedroom, hung her coat in the closet, and checked herself in the hallway mirror.
Grandma returned with a smile on her face. “I think it is time for cookies and hot chocolate!” Together we pried the lid off each colorful tin and quickly picked our two favorites to eat that afternoon.
After enjoying our cookies, Grandma invited us to sit next
to her by the Christmas tree. She gently lifted the German manger from the box
and positioned it just so under the tree. My brother and I delighted in
arranging the many pieces in the manger. As we continued to rearrange the
three kings, shepherds, cows, and sheep, Grandma began to sing Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht.
This beautiful tradition has continued for decades. My
children had the joy of Great Grandma Lydia bringing the manger to our home
each Christmas and now the manger rests under the tree of my daughter Beth each
year. What a precious gift we received from our grandmother. Her simple words
and actions reflected the spirit of Advent. She taught us so simply the
importance of waiting and hoping.
Joanna Roland is the administrator of preschool and kids' learning at St. Paul Lutheran.
