As we hang our stockings with care, where is our true Christmas cheer?
Our eyes are set on all the tinsel and lights.
Our hearts, not dwelling on the baby born to save our lives.
Why do we sit and count boxes with ribbons and bows when we have already been given a gift most precious?
Jesus, our Savior, has been born this day…and for that we should celebrate.
Christmas is and has always been my favorite holiday…one that is closest to my heart. I treasure this time of the year because there is this feeling you get listening to Christmas music, baking cookies and sitting on the floor looking up at your Christmas tree all lit with lights.
When my parents divorced my freshman year of college, I thought my life was over because the holidays had been, in my eyes, ruined. They had been ruined because traditions would change and nothing would be the same. I wouldn’t run downstairs in my childhood home and wait at the bottom of the stairs until my dad set up the video camera and my mom started breakfast (and the coffee)…I would now have to choose which parent I wanted to spend the holiday closest to my heart with.
It never ceases to amaze me how God gently teaches you that these things don’t matter. it doesn’t matter where you are for Christmas and it’s not about the presents. Christmas can be celebrated all year long…it’s not just one day designated to celebrating the birth of our Savior
This Christmas, I didn’t wake up and run downstairs with my siblings to open our stockings and gifts carefully sorted into piles so we knew which ones were ours.
This Christmas, I didn’t eat cheese biscuits, cinnamon rolls or sausage from Smith’s Red & White (only the best sausage you will ever put in your mouth).
This Christmas, I didn’t fall asleep to my mom reading one of her childhood Christmas books.
This Christmas, my dad didn’t read to me the Christmas story out of Luke.
This Christmas, I didn’t wake up wearing the new matching Christmas pajamas that my mom had carefully picked out for me and my siblings.
This Christmas, I didn’t wake up to my dad video-taping our every move as we opened our presents and squealed in delight, as we did when we were children.
This year, Christmas was different.
This Christmas, there was no talk of Santa Claus or sound of sleigh bells every where you went.
This Christmas, there were no presents to open when we woke up.
This Christmas, the sole focus was the true reason for the holiday: Jesus.
This Christmas, I laughed more than I have in one day.
This Christmas, I sat on a boat in the ocean.
This Christmas, I really meditated on what this holiday is all about.
Christmas Eve, my team and I gathered around the table with our Filipino family at midnight to enjoy a feast while celebrating the birth of our Savior and enjoying each others company. We shared laughs and memories from the past four months. We “dressed up” in Christmas garb and took family photos. It was the best Christmas I could have asked for because I was surrounded by people I love and I got to Skype home Christmas Day. For the first time, in all 22 years of my life, I understood that this was what Christmas is all about.
This year, Christmas didn’t feel like Christmas normally feels like nor did it have the smell of a Christmas tree. But, we can’t go off feelings. It is like our walk with the Lord…sometimes we don’t necessarily “feel” close to Him but that doesn’t mean He isn’t there…that doesn’t mean our relationship with Him isn’t real or that the love He has for us isn’t genuine.
Christmas is still Christmas whether we open presents or not.
Christmas is still Christmas whether or not we are surrounded by family.
Christmas is still Christmas whether or not you have a real Christmas tree.
Christmas is still Christmas whether the weather is cold or warm…whether the sun is shining, rain is pouring or there is snow on the ground.
Christmas is still Christmas because JESUS WAS BORN!
