On the Sixth Day of a Feminine Christmas

This may have been a Christmas greeting card but I’ve saved it for two reasons.  First, the sweet little maiden reminds me of my daughter when she was small.  She too, liked to perch next to the Christmas tree – sometimes in her nightgown, to watch the twinkling lights on the tree. 

The second thing I love about the image is the prayer by Helen Steiner Rice who wrote spiritual poetry for the masses.  I remember our local Hallmark shop often carried small gift books by Steiner and she is still popular today.  I put her in the same category as Grace Livingston Hill, the author of so many wonderful early-20th century novels.  Both were strong women writers, secure in their beliefs.

There is a look of quiet longing on the face of our girl…perhaps she is thinking of a grandmother faraway or a big brother stationed somewhere else in the world.  Her reflectiveness almost brings a tear especially in light of the words in the prayer which is a benediction of gratitude for those that grace our lives but must be away for Christmas or those that graced our lives and are now gone.

As much as our girl may be missing a loved one at Christmas, she is dressed in little red slippers and a pretty party dress.  And there are still gifts beneath the tree and I imagine a turkey in the oven too. 

I suspect that Helen Steiner Rice knew that the best way to honor those we miss is to continue to keep Christmas in our hearts…