Christmas Day really is my favorite day of the year. There is so much that makes the day fun and special. I love all the tradition, decorations, music, and food just to name a few things. And the gifts are a pretty cool part of the day (and I didn't do too bad this year with a new baseball glove, Nook Book cover, cologne, and briefcase among other things). But I also love the anticipation and surprise of the day. It is so much fun to see the kids take real delight in both giving and receiving.
One of the things that I particularly love about the day is how we as a family have learned to enjoy the gift GIVING. Besides a stocking, each kid only gets 3 presents (think Wise Men) from Mama and Daddy. Of course, they give each other a gift. So, each person has 7 presents each under the tree. Although it only takes approximately 30-60 seconds to open the gift (depending on tape, bows, packaging, and which person is opening the gift), most every year it takes us around 4-5 HOURS to open the gifts. We have learned to let the gift receiver take several minutes to enjoy their new gift before moving on to the next receipient. Besides enjoying all the laughs, squeals, oohs and aahhs that gifts produce, I most enjoy watching the Giver smile from ear to ear seeing the Receiver blessed and surprised.
I guess in a small way this is one of the ways that God is glorified during the Christmas season. He sent His son as a gift to mankind. Ever since, people have received this gift with joy. And angels have sung Glory to God in the Highest ever since. Because He is the happy Giver.
No matter your circumstance today, I hope that you are having a Merry Christmas. And if somehow there has been sadness, brokenness, disappointment, conflict, or some other distracting distress today, I pray that you will remember that there is one gift for you that when received with joy brings happiness on earth...as it does in heaven.
Merry Christmas!
