Christmas Eve 2006

Posted Sun Dec 24, 2006 in Family

We didn’t even put up the little Christmas tree this year. I’ll make images in the morning, but we’ll have a Christmas Poinsettia this year. Last year we gave up on the huge tree (that requires assembly) and went with a smaller model. This year, given everything that’s been going on, we decided to forgo a tree altogether. So, our gifts are displayed under another Christmas celebration plant, the Poinsettia.

My friend Mark has an interesting post on Christmas gifting. Although he has more to say about their family celebration of Christmas, I like what he says about the gift-giving portion of the holiday.

Many years ago I thought about departing the gift-giving tradition. I knew the kids might be distracted by the materialism of the holiday. But, at the same time, Wife so enjoyed that aspect of the season and we often used the opportunity to give the kids things they wanted and needed anyway. I think we managed, regardless of the celebration of Giftmas, connection with what we truly think about the season.

I don’t care exactly when Jesus the Christ was born. We choose to celebrate that wonderful event near the winter solstice. I’m fine with that. I don’t really care when the holiday is celebrated so long as we celebrate it. When the time comes each year, I take some time for personal reflection on what I think about the event. I think about the miracle of Christ’s birth, as well as the miracle of his setting aside the glory of God to assume human form, walk among us, and then be sacrificed for our reconciliation with God.

Yeah, all those big theological words which mean, simply, that God loves us enough to give of himself to rebuild a bridge we burned. Although I’ve been part of the Christian tradition all of my life, I still cannot fathom that gift. I think I never will. I will be content to simply trust that God tells the truth — that he does love me that much and will continue to love me that much.

In turn, I love my family. It’s my way of reflecting God’s love for me. A part of that love I celebrate at this time of year with the giving of gifts to my family. Wife does the hard part of assembling the load, but I provide the resources to make it happen. It is my honor to do that.

We’ll all sit together in the morning and share those gifts as a family. We never forget the reason we’re giving those gifts, though. For me, it’s always right there in front of me. It’s in my heart and in my soul.

God gave himself for me.

We attended church this morning for the first time in a few weeks. We’ve been traveling a lot and have had a lot of things to think about and that’s kept us distracted. I loved this morning, though. The worship team put together some words and music to recall for us the gift of Christ. It was incredible.

Merry Christmas, friends and visitors.