So, let us take a moment from our busy lives and gather our thoughts. Sit upon you favorite easy chair or couch, look at the sparkle of the Christmas lights, while drinking a warm cup of coffee or cocoa. Let your eyes adjust to the dimly lit area and gaze upon the sparkle of the Christmas decorations and how the lights warm glow fills the room. Quite as a mouse but with a hint of Yule tide singing playing over the radio, your ipod, or maybe your listening to the Christmas Melodies over Pandora (Good channel to add!).
Let us think about Christmas’s long ago. Maybe your kids have grown up or maybe their growing up. I am warped back to a time when my children awoke early on Christmas day with the anticipation of gifts under the tree. No matter the gift, the jumping around, the fuss over paper, the quickness to tear into a present as if their lives depended on the gift that awaited them in that box. The twinkle in their eyes and then, here it comes, the joy, the smiles, the overwhelming flood that filled my heart when they gasped for air as they got exactly what they thought they would not, but hoped you would. Their little minds focused on one thing, fun. Oh, how I miss this in my home. How these thoughts fill my heart and grow it, like the Grinch, ’3 sizes more that day’.
As my boys grow up, I don’t hear the fuss over the presents like I use to. Now, I hear more about maybe giving them some money or a gift here and there for their computer or maybe a new phone. The things which don’t, for me, bring the same joy, as watching them next to the tree. Though I have to admit, I never can wait until Christmas to give them their gifts. I am filled with anticipation, to watch them open it. So, I usually give them something early.
Sure, this does not tell us exactly what Christmas is all about or does it? God has given me a family to care for, to protect, but to make happy as well. Sure, gifts are not the important part of Christmas but I believe God loves gifts. Why else would he continue to give them to His children every day? I know what you are thinking, the ultimate gift. Well, as long as this is not forgotten, and remembered with a whole heart, the feelings and joy of watching your children or loved ones as they open something that may have taken a sacrifice to obtain, the true meaning of Christmas will remain.
There is no greater joy than watching someone receive something they did not even think they deserved or would have ever hoped to obtain. I believe God felt just like me when He gave us His son in Bethlehem. I believe He is this way when He wants to bless our lives. God is filled with so much love for us, He just cannot wait to give that which we want or need.
I’ll just bet He gets as giddy as I do…
Heavenly Father, I come to You in Our Lords name. I praise You and offer thanksgiving for all that You have given Our lives and I thank You for that which You have not allowed in our lives. This Christmas holiday I ask that Your children be blessed in a miraculous way. I ask that they are kept warm, fed, in good health, and filled with memories of happiness and joy. May we never forget the ultimate gift of Your love for us in Jesus’ name. Amen.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
The husband,
Jerry
