Christmastime has ALWAYS been a special time in my home.  Some of my fondest memories of childhood are of Christmas.  We live outside of town and only had one car, so we couldn’t just run into town at the drop of a hat.  We didn’t have lots of money, but my mom was creative so we didn’t lack for anything, really.

It all began the day after Thanksgiving.  There was no “black Friday”.  We started by putting on some Christmas albums and digging out the Christmas decorations from the attic.  Mom would go out and cut some fresh pine branches and we would make arrangements and hang lights and mistletoe and garland.  We had lots of fun.  Then, every Christmas Eve, my dad’s parents would come over and my grandfather would read us kids the Christmas story, followed by opening presents.  We would start preparing early that morning.  We baked ham, made special appetizers, cookies.  I remember we got to use those colored toothpicks and drank punch from the punch bowl, and it felt really special.

My grandfather was a real clown and we loved getting him gag gifts.  The best one was a pet rock we made and he called it George.  LOL  Or the time we gave grandma a pacifier to put in grandpa’s “jib”.  She thought it was funny, until he opened one for her!

As I got older and married and had children of my own, we carried on the tradition by having MY dad read the Christmas story to our kids.  We also dressed our kids up like Mary, Joseph and a shepherd and act it out accordingly.  We also loved giving gag gifts and my favorite of all was when my mom got us all latex swimming caps with huge flowers and we all put them on!

We always sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and always talked about the nativity and His birth.  Me and my boys always made cookies together and lots of them.  We loved cutting out the sugar cookies and decorating them.  And we loved watching all the Christmas shows and eating those cookies too!  Christmas has always been my favorite time of year.

So, this year is a little different.  And, at first, it made me sad.  But, I realized I had a choice and I needed to choose joy.  See, my boys won’t be home on Christmas Eve this year, so we are going to them instead.  It won’t be the same, not having my parents, my niece and nephews, my siblings, but my husband and I WILL be with our kids in TN.  And that is truly all that matters.

I’ve ordered our Christmas sugar cookies, instead of baking, and I will be cooking Christmas Eve, instead of many people bringing dishes.  There won’t be as many games, but we will still have lots of fun.  Christmas Day, no family cooked meal, but rather reservations for us all at Buca di Beppo – and Italian restaurant that serves food family style.  Then back to the house to watch Scrooge or play Things.  But most importantly, we will be together.  I am thankful.

Oh, we will come back to the MOV and have exchange with my family – and it is my hope that my whole family will be there, but if not – we will celebrate at the time with the family that is present.

I told my boys when they were little that it’s Jesus’ birthday and because He isn’t here on earth, we give gifts to others and those we love.  That has not changed.  We still give gifts in His name.  He gave us the most precious gift, the gift of eternal life.  The gift of forgiveness – wiping not only the sin from our slate, but not remembering it against us anymore!  What a feeling!  I am so thankful for eternal life.

As you celebrate this Christmas Season, I pray that you keep Jesus at the center of it all.  I pray that you love your family because life is precious.  And forgive.  Forgiveness is the greatest gift  – because that is what Jesus gave us, when He came earth – born to die for the forgiveness of our sins.  Show love, extend grace, feed the hungry, help the needy, lend a hand.  May the goodness of God surround you and may the peace of God guide you all the days of your life.  Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Jesus!