It's Christmas eve!! There is much excitement around our home just as there is in many homes tonight. Nathan has been asking "How many days to Christmas, Mom?" every day this week. With all the hustle and bustle of the season, it has been so nice to have a "low key" kind of day. Nothing scheduled. Nothing that just had to be done today. Just enjoy my family.
For some reason, I thought I would run to the store to pick up a few groceries. Yes, I know I am crazy. Day before Christmas. Hustle and bustle in full swing. I braved the chaos that is Walmart this morning. Just a quick trip. (Is that even possible?) My list was short and so I proceeded, wanting to get home for my "low key" day. It didn't take long to hear grumbling and complaining in the store. As I am getting some yummy hot chocolate for tomorrow morning, I hear more than one customer complaining that the store was all out of what they needed. I was on the aisle with baking goods. Should it be a surprise that the store just might run out of those kinds of items around certain holidays? Well, they weren't happy. Kind of made me sad for them. Anyway, I made my way through the store, checked out, and made it home. Ahhhh....
I started thinking about Christmas, and without a doubt, the only reason we have to celebrate the season is Jesus. My Savior descended from the glory of heaven to be born of a virgin, live a sinless life, die on the cross for my sins and rise again, all to fulfill God's magnificent plan to save His people. How we have strayed so far from the awe of this miracle only to get the latest toy or more gifts than we know what to do with and stress ourselves in the process. I love Christmas. I love getting together with family. I love gift giving. In a society that focuses on political correctness (holiday tree? really?), the shopping season, and how it will affect the economy, I don't want to lose focus. I want my kids to know that gifts are not a bad thing, it is when they become the priority that is the problem. That can be quite a challenge when so many people ask them, "What's Santa going to bring you?" I want so much to show them Christ all the time, but especially this time of year.
So, what do I do? Rewind a few hours before all of this. I wake up on this Christmas eve and could have been in a glorious mood, but instead, I didn't feel so great and I chose the awful mood, in serious need of an attitude adjustment. Mommy needed some time. I went for a run to clear my head and just pray. (Oh, what a difference prayer makes! It was much needed.) I was in a foul mood before and God gave me some perspective. If anyone had reason to complain it was Mary - 9 months pregnant and riding on a donkey to go register with Joseph for the census only to give birth in a dirty stable. Perspective. I probably sounded like those unhappy customers at Walmart. I have no reason to grumble. I know what I am celebrating and I wasn't exactly focussing on Christ. I was being quite selfish. I needed perspective. God is so good to give us what we need when we need it!
This Christmas, I am so grateful for Jesus and the miracle that He has accomplished in His incarnation. My gifts include a godly, loving husband; a sweet, thoughtful Nathan; a precious, funny Luke, who has made tremendous progress in his communication skills and really in all areas. Nathan is at a wonderful christian school and has a fantastic teacher. Luke is at a great school that is making a difference in his life and ours in dealing with autism. I am so blessed that I could not possibly list all my gifts. They are too numerous. They are priceless.
Tomorrow morning, the boys will receive presents, not because they have been good or bad or haven't pouted or cried (for goodness sake), but because we have been blessed and we love them. They will be excited to see what is under the tree. I will be excited to see them open their gifts. People celebrate this holiday in many different ways, but I want them to know that the greatest gift was born 2000 years ago and that is what we celebrate. I pray that they don't become consumed with getting things but become consumed with Christ. I hope that Christ is what they see in our lives and remember when they think about Christmas.
I will close with a sweet poem that Nathan learned at school. I was reminded of it today when a friend posted it on Facebook (thanks April S.)
What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would give Him a lamb.
If I were a wise man, I would do my part-
Yet what can I give Him? Give Him my heart.
Christina Rosetti
God has truly given us the greatest Gift! May you all have a blessed Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ!
