Christmas with Mohau and Rosie

‘Tis the season to be jolly and merry, a time for family get togethers and reminiscing. A time we are reminded of loved ones who are no longer with us and those unable to be with us.

If you believe the adverts, it’s a time to shop till you drop tempting many to go into debt, treat people to gifts they don’t really need or buy into the illusion of ‘gifting’ happiness. 

Growing up, Christmas was different. We couldn’t wait for our annual catch up with friends.

Christmas Eve was spent carolling, making bonfires and attempting to cook our versions of grown up food, followed by story telling and failed attempts to stay up past midnight. In one word, Christmas was magical, like sparklers.

Since then, I have had christmases when I put up the tree and wrapped the presents on Christmas Eve to the amazement of my children, Christmases when I was well organised with the tree up in early December or not had a tree at all.

Once, I redefined Christmas lunch as a ‘glorified Sunday roast’. Sunday roasts are never a big deal so what makes Christmas lunch so much more stressful even when feeding the same number of people?

Although it seemed dramatic, this re-definition took the stress out of preparing Christmas meal that year. I went about the day casually, our meal was still amazing and I was chilled enough to enjoy it.

With all my Christmas memories, the one that truly defines the season for me was the Christmas with Mohau and Rosie.

Our son was poorly in the lead up to that Christmas and we were faced with the prospect of spending Christmas Day in hospital.

All I needed was a day to salvage Christmas celebration, so I hoped for the miracle of an early discharge.

We got word that we would be discharged on Christmas Day but unsure of the exact time. Again I felt I could salvage Christmas – if the discharge was early morning.

Our South African friends, Mohau and Rosie, were aware of the situation and they invited us to join them for Christmas Day lunch. Their two boys were of similar age to ours.

We were often at their house and holidayed together so this was almost as good as the boys having Christmas lunch at home. I stopped worrying about saving the day. Now the worry was about getting an early discharge in time for lunch.

The discharge came about 6pm. We drove to their house expecting to eat leftovers from Christmas lunch.

Surprisingly, the whole turkey and trimmings were brought out. Mohau and Rosie had kept Christmas lunch waiting until we could join them.

I was blown away by their love and sacrifice considering they had invited us to Christmas lunch not supper.

Presents stayed unopened all day so we could share in the experience. This was no mean feat, I tell you, given their boys were expecting video games in their stockings.

It’s been eighteen years but when I think about Christmas, I think of Mohau and Rosie being God-sent to us. I think of them cooking all morning and having to keep it warm all afternoon.

I think of their boys staring through the window hoping every car that came up their road was ours and wondering when they would get a chance to open their presents.

I think of Rosie, making a variety of snacks to keep the boys going while explaining they had to wait for us.

‘True’ Christmas isn’t about shopping or stress, it’s not tolerating loved ones or getting into debt. It’s not indulging children’s wishes.

It’s a reminder of a Son being given as a Sacrificial gift of love to the world.

Christmas is about Mohau and Rosie – about love, kindness, generosity, friendship and everything the Father intended when He gave His best.

I wish you a ‘True’ and merry Christmas. See you in the new year. You know the drill, please share the post with others.

Ps, check out the book session for my latest book, ‘The Purposeful Life Project’. It’s a fabulous gift idea – one that will make a difference to the receiver’s life.