I love Christmas. As the song says, it is truly “the most wonderful time of the year.” There is just a special spirit at this season that in unlike any other. The sights and sounds of Christmas seem to bring out the child in all of us.
Our trees are put up, nativity and carolers in place, advent candles on the table, and Christmas music playing. Christmas parades, complete with marching bands and Santa Claus, are in almost every town. There are Christmas parties and church programs to attend, Christmas cards, shopping, and gifts wrapped in pretty paper and bows.
Christmas to me is family. It was always a special time at our house as we planned our family gathering, the food we would eat, baking and candy making, giving and receiving gifts, and just being together.
One of the most memorable gifts I received as a young toddler was a baby doll. I do not remember the doll as much as the homemade cradle that my dad made, and the quilt and pillow that my mother made for my doll. These were special gifts because of the extra love my parents had for me as they “made” these gifts.
Another memorable gift was the bicycle I received from an older sister when I was six years old. It was my first year of school and her first year to teach school. This was a gift that I enjoyed for many, many years.
One of my favorite parts of Christmas is the music. I recall Christmas band concerts and parades, and the church Christmas programs that I was a part of. As a college student at Eastern Kentucky University I looked so forward each year to attending the performance of the “Messiah.”
And the memories go on and on. We all have our Christmas memories and traditions. But, with everything we do, let’s never forget that we have Christmas because of Jesus. I never remember a Christmas in our house that the true meaning of Christmas was not at the forefront.
With all we do this Christmas let’s be sure to include Him in our celebrations. Include Him in our decorations, in the cards we send, and in the music we sing. Let’s include Him in our greetings to people as we smile and say “Merry Christmas.”
Christmas is a time when more people seem to be open to hearing the true story of Christmas, so let us be ready to share that message. It may just cause someone to receive the special Gift of Christmas.
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