Glad Tidings of Great Joy

Ive been thinking a lot about an article i read today. The article's focus was about how even Christians are so caught up in the commercial side of the season that we have completely forgotten what Christmas is all about.

Now, as a mother, of course I couldn't bear to deny myself of seeing the joy that opening a few presents brings to my daughters. But this year, I have been trying to emphasize the TRUE meaning of Christmas and the reason for the Celebration and gifts. Anyway, I was reading this article about how UN-Christian all the gift giving and recieving is. Of course, this guy is an extremist.... but I do kind of get what he is saying. We are so focused on giving gifts and spending money on extravagant presents, foods, decorations, etc that we barely even take the time to remember what Christmas is all about anymore. I mean, how many of us even read the Christmas story about the baby born of a Virgin and take time to reflect on this Miracle? How many of us go out of our way to say thank you to someone for a fruit cake or a bottle of wine, yet never take the time to thank God for sending his Son to us? Modern conveniences and technologies seem to be putting a wedge between us and the true meaning of Christmas.


I can honestly say, that even though my parents bought us TONS of awesome presents when I was growing up, Im at a loss to remember most of the gifts. What I DO remember is the traditions we had... the singing Christmas carols in the car, the one present we got to open on Christmas Eve, waiting up with the window cracked to hear Santa... my dad reading the Night Before Christmas and the Actual Christmas story from the Bible right before we went to bed. I remember this vividly. As i sit here on a bitterly cold December night, with my feet still freezing from driving around a couple hours ago looking at Christmas lights with the kids.... i realize those are the kind of memories I want my kids to have. Not gifts, but LOVE. Family traditions stemming from the love I have for Christ and for my family. So, even if there are moments i waiver in my Christmas cheer, Im going to smile and sing a Christmas tune, because I am making a commitment to making warm, fuzzy wonderful CHRISTmas memories with my kids. :)

May your home be filled with wonderful traditions and memories,
Merry Christmas



(photo by Matthew Killian)