Merry Christmas

Christmas greetings to all of you.
As I write to you today, my blogging family, I was brought back to many Christmas memories and traditions I share with my family.  So I thought I'd share some of that with you this Christmas.
The first thing that comes to mind about Christmas is our family time together with our extended family. We would always gather with the aunts, uncles, cousins, and many more. It was so exciting to share our new toys, or put on our new Christmas clothes. Every child in the family had a smile on their face all day long. Pure joy.
When I was a small child the excitement began Christmas Eve. We would watch a Christmas show on TV, my favorite was always the Little Drummer Boy. Then it was bath time, and waiting for me was a brand new nightgown or pajamas. The same for my brother. Of course we were so excited, we couldn't wait until Christmas morning to get there. We were raised knowing the true meaning of Christmas, Jesus' birthday, our Savior was born. But as a small child our excitement was about what we would find under the tree that morning.
We began as our family of four, My Mom and Dad, brother, and myself would open our gifts. It was the one day of the year my brother and I were up before dawn. We would go wake our parents, who undoubtedly had little sleep. It was not wild chaos, we always watched each other open their surprise.
Then our day would get busy. Christmas breakfast (or brunch) was a big deal with the whole family. We would gather together at my mother's aunt's home. And we had a feast. The wonderful aroma of bacon cooking was the best. I remember many times we would have a big snowstorm. Often my Dad would have to go tow someone out of a snowbank.
Then eventually we'd get back home and enjoy our gifts some more. My Mom was in the kitchen preparing Christmas dinner. The whole family would gather together again for dinner. Sometimes it would be at our home, or sometimes another home.
As you can see family was the emphasis on our Christmas celebration.
But as years go by, the dynamics change. Many have passed away. We moved further away. But those traditions were still so very important. My Dad loved Christmas breakfast. He wanted to supply most of the food. We tried to argue that with him, but he had no part of it. He insisted. So we raised our son with the same traditions. The new pj's to sleep in, the family breakfast, and the family dinner. Even though there wasn't the large amount of people we still had a very special celebration.
Now my son lives quite a distance away, so those traditions are mostly wonderful memories, until we can live closer that is. One day (we are confident) we will live close by, and we can celebrate with our son and his family. We can start some new traditions with them.
But one thing has never changed, knowing why we celebrate Christmas, knowing why it is so important to us. Our savior is born, He brings us hope and joy, and the greatest gift of all, His love.
So even though your family dynamics may have changed, you can still have those wonderful memories. You can create some new traditions. You can still be filled with the joy, hope, and love that Jesus gives us.
Every family has some sad memories also of Christmas time. I do. But I wanted to encourage you and not dwell on that aspect. I want to share Christmas blessings with you all.
As Christmas Eve and Christmas Day near, I pray that you will enjoy your family traditions, or even make some new ones. I pray that you can be with your loved ones on this special day.

Luke 2:14 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

14 Glory to God in the highest [heaven], and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased [men of goodwill, of His favor].

Merry Christmas!

Ho, Ho, Ho, or is it Go, Go, Go?

As Christmas is drawing closer I see the hustle and bustle of the traffic, in the stores, and just all around. I hear comments like "I have so much to do and so little time to do it". Or something like "I have so much more to buy and have spent my budget already". Is that really what Christmas is all about? Do you think that is how Jesus would like His birthday celebrated? Remember it is Jesus and not Santa that we are celebrating.
Don't get me wrong, I like baking goodies, shopping, giving/getting presents just like the rest of you. I love seeing the surprise on the children's faces when they receive a special gift. But is there a way we can keep it in the right perspective? Celebrating Jesus?
I remember as a little girl, my Mom and Dad did everything they could to make Christmas special for us. My Dad loved putting decorations on the house, and his favorite was putting the tinsel on the tree. He would save that until my brother and I would  go to bed Christmas Eve, then get up Christmas morning and see it all done. My husband and I always tried to make Christmas morning extra special for our son. And my Mom and Dad were a part of that. Yes I admit, the gifts for our son were important to us. But he always knew who we were celebrating.
My Mom and Dad now celebrate Jesus' birthday with Him in heaven. And I am sure Jesus has a BIG celebration in heaven.
My husband and I still have Christmas Eve with my husband's family and we have Christmas with my brother and his wife. Our son and daughter in law live far away, but my husband and I look forward to celebrating Christmas with them and our future grandchildren when we can live near to them or travel to be with them. For our family, traditions have been important.
I almost lost my brother just before Thanksgiving. I cannot even think of not having him here with us for Christmas or any other day. We grew up very close and we still are close. We talk to each other a few times a day. Family is so important to us.
I am sure many of you have traditions. They may change over the years, but they are still special. I am sure you have special family times as well.
Don't you think that is what Jesus would think is most important? Being with the ones you love, celebrating the One who gave us love.
I guess my thoughts here are to enjoy the peacefulness of Christmas and gathering with your family to celebrate Jesus. We can make Christmas special for the children by showing them the love you have for them, creating those family traditions. And yes, giving a child that special gift that lights up their little eyes and fills their little faces with smiles ear to ear.
I hope for all of you, faithful readers, to be able to find the peacefulness of Christmas, and to be able to step back from the hustle and bustle and enjoy this special season of celebrating Jesus. I hope you can gather together and watch the little ones shine. But most of all, I pray that the real reason for Christmas, Jesus, will fill your hearts with His love and pour His blessings over you and your loved ones.
Let's make time for the Ho, Ho, Ho (the joyfulness) of Christmas and leave behind the Go, Go, Go (the stress).

I have attached a song that describes love, Jesus. It isn't a traditional Christmas song, but just as meaningful and beautiful. Jesus was born to bring hope and love to us. Our Savior, our King.
My son is playing in this video. To me that is a priceless gift, to always be able to hear/see him play for the Lord Jesus.  Here is my gift to you.
Merry Christmas!