Start Christmas Off Right
The holidays are the best time of year when you’re a kid. There’s wonder and excitement. Everything lights up and sparkles.
I love to see the enthusiasm that Christmas brings. Heavy boxes that contain all things Christmas are easily born and carried upstairs. And, while you’re still pulling down boxes from the garage, boxes are efficiently (though perhaps not arranged neatly) emptied of all their contents. And, before you know it, the house is decorated by your own little lights.
As the temperature drops you wait with bated breath for the possibility of snow. They bundle up in their winter gear and put on that cute hat you knitted as a handicraft this year. Memories of years past flood your heart of when your kids were younger. Showing them snow for the first time, sledding down your driveway, building snow forts and mazes and having an epic snowball fight right after building your first snowman together. Somehow snow or just the thought of it makes that cup of hot chocolate taste better.
Christmas is a time for joy, a time of togetherness, a time to remember who’s important in our lives. It’s a time for giving of yourself, giving to others and expressing gratitude for gifts given you. One of our family’s favorite traditions is well…everything! Like the song by We Are Messengers says, “Everything Comes Alive.” We love hanging candy canes together; the red and white expressing the purifying characteristic of Christ’s blood washing us whiter than snow while the “J” shape remind us of Jesus’ name. We love arranging our Bumpkins Nativity Figurines as they worship God’s Son. We love finding a special place for our Musical Christmas Carols Clock that sings carols on the hour. We love snuggling up under a warm blanket to watch Christmas movies. We also love all that we can make in the kitchen: homemade fudge, grandma's divinity, sugar cookies with LOTS and LOTS of sprinkles, cornflake Christmas wreaths, coconut balls drizzled with chocolate, and Nana’s poppyseed cakes to give to friends and family. Sharing warm moments together as we build some beautiful Christmas traditions together make this the BEST time of the year!
All of this warmth, sweetness and love are due to the miracle that is God's love. Let our hearts resound in a spirit of thankfulness for all that He is, for all that He's done and for all He's given as we walk in abundant living. May you experience this joy this year. And, no matter how you started off the holiday season, remember how Jesus came for you. Blessings!
