Christmas Reflections

Our family made a decision this year to step away from the retail circus, which now begins NOT on Black Friday, but on Thanksgiving Day! We will be sharing a few gifts... after all it is natural to want to give presents to loved ones on this special day. But we realize it is not what we buy or receive, but what we share that truly matters. We have chosen to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. Grief has a way of changing your priorities and helping you see what is important.

In two months I will begin my sixth decade of life- you would have thought I would have required a great deal of Christmas knowledge along the way, but that wasn’t the case. Time alone was not my teacher, instead it took the death of my precious son to give me insight and vision into this holy day.

Here are some random Christmas reflections:

- Eat the Christmas cookie and don’t worry about your weight. Better yet, share some cookies with a loved one. Sit and enjoy the time together. Make a memory!

- Take pictures—lots of them! Don’t avoid the camera because you think you look bad or your hair isn’t combed. There will come a day when you are thankful that your memories were captured in a photograph. Please don’t regret that your face is missing.

- Don’t worry so much about presents— how many or how costly. Slow down, visit with friends and family. Let them know how much they mean to you. Say, “I love you, “ and show it with your actions!

- The holiday meal doesn’t have to be perfect or made from scratch. It’s the people gathered around the table that makes it special.

- “‘Tis more blessed to give than receive”—such wisdom! Give more—your time, your attention, your help, your mercy, your ears, your presence, your words, your heart, your compassion, your love...

As I gather with friends and family this Christmas Day, I will gratefully reflect on a Christmas so long ago when mankind received a priceless and undeserved gift.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government

shall be upon His shoulder and His name shall be called Wonderful,

Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of

Peace. Isaiah 9:6

There is something almost magical about this time of year... especially when we let go of all the hustle and bustle! Imagine the world if the peace of Christmas could live in our hearts year-round. What if we didn’t wait until Christmas to string lights, but we reflected the light in our daily actions. I think we could extinguish the Darkness!

Have a very blessed Christmas!