Christmas Ponderings

Christmas Eve should be relaxing–spent with family near a crackling fire with games and hot chocolate, or perhaps, attending a Christmas Eve service at church…

These thoughts went through my mind last night as I swept and mopped the kitchen floor, cleaning up after a never ending day of baking projects and the children’s card-making sprees.  My husband and daughters lounged around, all over the living room floor, putting puzzles together, while I physically attacked my to-do list. You see, we’re having the extended family over for Christmas dinner! And I’m thrilled, truly, I love my family and look forward to these occasions that fill our home with their warmth.

But, I reflected on how “interrupted” Christmas has become in the couple thousand years since Mary became the mother of Jesus in that humble stable. When the “glory of the Lord shone round about” and even Herod knew something momentous had taken place.

Don’t get me wrong. I love the thrill of Christmas shopping, pulling favorite ornaments out of storage, singing along to “Sleigh Ride“and “White Christmas“…but every year there is a wistful part of me that wishes the glitzy side of Christmas was more complementary of the One we’re celebrating. Our humble Savior easily becomes a forgotten detail when the tinsel and house lights are at the top of the to-do list.

So today, amidst the flurry of wrapping paper and last minute food prep, I want to keep Jesus foremost in my mind and heart, as well as in the hearts of my children. Maybe over blueberry buckle we’ll remind four year old that it’s more blessed to give than to receive. We’ll read the Christmas story in Luke 2, and talk about giving something to Jesus on this special day. And ponder the fact that the best gifts involve sacrifice.

Immanuel–God with us.

Keep Him extra close today!

Merry Christmas!