Home with Belinda: at Christmastime

It was Christmas 1983. Belinda and I had been married for 9 months and were settling into life together in our first house. Already she'd done so much - turning my bachelor ways into our 'together' home. For by adding her caring touch, and her ever-present chatter and laugh, I wondered at how I had survived before "B"

But now, as Thanksgiving 1983 was ending, my new bride began digging - not for more turkey, but into our closets - bringing out box after box, and sack after sack. She was unpacking items heretofore not seen. This one whom I'd been forewarned would spend hours as a child decorating doll houses and changing the clothes of her 'Barbie' and 'Ken,' had now switched homemaking into the highest gear of all. It was Christmastime at the Dennises. Christmastime, Belinda style!

That memory is 34 years ago, but for each proceeding Christmas - I can assure you - the same has remained. The difference being this - that what once took hours, or a day, now requires days. But... certainly, for each year since, come rain or shine, whether in plenty or in want, Belinda has turned our home each Christmas into a virtual wonderland. A place of blessing and memory. Memories of 'His Day' and of 'oh so many' family-days gone by. For today our home displays at least 10 nativity sets - most of them given to us, and loads of churches, too - in city and in dale - covered by snow and an assortment of outdoor scenes. There are - let's see - 7 Christmas trees - I think (one in each family room, the breakfast nook, and all our guest rooms, too), and row upon row of garland on stair-rails, mantels, coffee tables and doors. And stockings? Why, of course! The stockings come first. 'Hung by chimney with care' and displayed from the main-room mantel - hand-made - for Taylor, Trey, B and Me but now with Matt, Cannon and Colt added. So that walking through each room decorations are found on beautiful display. Each one made, or set out, with love and care telling story upon story, of place after place, of memories, people, and many great times shared.  


On that first Christmas now long ago I confess to being a bit of a Scrooge - chiding Belinda, after a fashion, for the effort she was putting forth. And now - well now - I am ashamed of my silly, youthful view. For this was, and is, the one whom I was fortunate to marry. The wonderful woman I have grown so to love. One who has sat in classroom after classroom, with child after child, in our church and often in your school too. She has cut, pasted, and made things - things like all these about our home tonight. Treasures, I call them now, each bounding from the same creative energy and 'lure to do'.  This strong and enthusiastic woman who has stood alongside me each and every day, albeit - to most of you - only from the pew, she is this one who has expressed herself with enthusiasm and joy by creating, building, and never fearing to take down and renew. So that being home with Belinda at Christmastime has become the great blessing of my life. For who knew? That what she was taking out of the closet in 1983 was not just our Christmas, but a constant, steady stream of love - for hearth, home, me - and for so many others like YOU.

So Blessings Belinda (meaning beautiful), my Bride.  And Merry Christmas...

From our home - and... to each and everyone of you!

Pastor Sam