There is something about the Christmas season that seems to put a little step in everyone's walk and a smile (real or fake) on everyone's face. Granted, usually everyone is juggling their regular schedules, plus the added schedules of "Christmas stuff." The past month and a half our family has been in a whirlwind of "stuff." However, the happiest is when surrounded by wonderful friends and family. No stress about finding the perfect gifts or finding enough time to make it a "perfect" Christmas (whatever that means in my mind and others).
However, with the shootings that took place on Friday in Connecticut, where all those poor innocent children and wonderful educators were tragically killed, it really made me put everything in prospective. Especially, when I heard the reporter saying that one little boy told his teacher, "I don't want to die, I just want Christmas." That is it...those simple words...CHRISTmas. Granted, that little boy probably envisioned the excitement of Christmas morning and being with his parents and possibly siblings all under one roof, celebrating a wonderful day.
Christmas is about presents and Santa and cookies and making your kids have magical memories of such a special day. I know my parents are an example of how magical they made Christmas in our house growing up and still do even as my sister and I are adults. However, Christmas is a lot bigger than that. Christmas is about love. I knew growing up that I was an extremely loved kid by my parents; and for some reason on Christmas, I felt even more loved (if that is even possible).
Now that I have a wonderful child of my own it is so important to me to make his Christmas experience magical. Not so much with great presents, but with memories and a foundation of what Christmas really is all about. Being busy with places to go and things to do is all about the holiday season; however, what is more important is making sure that you spend time together as a family, making sure that you know the ones important to you feel loved and special...wether that is through words, a letter, spending time with them or a gift. And more importantly Christmas is not "making time," but making Christmas about our Savior, the one that was born on this magical day for us. This does not mean (to me) that you have to attend every single Christmas celebration that a church, community or people have to offer. It means making YOUR SAVIOR a priority in your life and your families life. Maybe, that is attending everything possible, or maybe that is reading The Bible together, sharing the story of the birth of Jesus, giving your time, talents or money to those in need or those who need it. And also making this a priority every single day, not just Christmas.
I know growing up that a Christmas Eve service was not high on my list of things to do. That as a kid, the presents were the highlight of Christmas. Which honestly (to me), I find nothing wrong with that. And what kid doesn't get excited about Christmas morning? Because in my mind, even though Santa was bringing me these gifts, I knew I was loved and I knew that Jesus was born on that Christmas morning. And I knew the reason why we celebrated this magical day was not about Santa flying from the North Pole, but it was about my salvation. Let kids be kids, and let them enjoy the wonderful Christmas season. However, give them a foundation of what Christmas really is all about. Giving, loving, time and more importantly the birth of an amazing baby.
Now...onto Christmas cookies. Have a blessed holiday season. Enjoy every minute and carry that love and joy throughout the year.
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