When I think of Christmas, I remember the overwhelming excitement as a child as I wait for the clock to hit 6am on Christmas morning. I remember running into the living room to find stockings full of candy and little toys and the tree succumb to a mountain of presents. I “ooo’d” and “ahhh’d” for a brief moment before jumping into bed with my parents yelling, “It’s Christmas! It’s Christmas! Wake up! Wake up!”. With wrapping paper everywhere, gifts strewn here or there, clothes tried on, new games played with, the occasional “uhh, but I wanted that” said to my siblings, and a belly full of breakfast pastries, Christmas was a wrap and the excitement gradually faded. The day went on like normal and soon, Winter Break was over and school started back up.
Today, I’m reminded of my childhood as I spend time at home with my parents and siblings. I look back on the old and new traditions we made as a family; decorating the tree with homemade ornaments, making rock candy, going to a Christmas Eve church service, watching “A Christmas Story”, reminiscing on old family video tapes, playing games, and staying in our pajamas all day.
For most of us, Christmas morning is filled with family, friends, delicious food, and presents. We are surrounded by holiday music and colorful lights. It’s so very easy to become distracted from the TRUE meaning of Christmas with everything going on. The excitement of seeing loved ones and opening gifts are all good things, but it can pose as an interference to what Christmas is all about.
It’s not about wish lists, presents, great food, or even a reason to show your friends and family some love. It’s about the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!! To some, this may not sound like a lot or even make sense, but I promise, this is the greatest news! It’s more than getting things that we want and more about the only thing we all actually need! Jesus Christ was born in a manger and walked in our shoes, experiencing life on this earth like each one of us.
As I reminisce on my childhood experiences around the holidays, I begin thinking about the future. A year from now, I’ll be wrapping up my time in Zambia. Millions of people around the world have never heard of Jesus, let alone experienced the excitement of Christmas morning. I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to begin this journey and spread the love of God to deafened ears. I don’t know what the Lord has in store for me, but I know He’s going to use me for His glory. I can imagine myself a year from now telling others about Christmas and the traditions my family shares while spreading some Christmas spirit. Who knows what new traditions I may stumble upon?
Merry Christmas everyone and a very happy New Year!
~A
