As we celebrate the third week of Advent and I reflect on the Spirit of Joy, I remember when I was a very young child my family and I would spend lots of time together in preparation for this momentus time of year. More time was spent together than usual because love was in the air. The Christmas tree and lights around the house were being put up, season cards were being mailed out to family and friends, presents were being bought and wrapped, Christmas music was being played all the time, singing, joy and laughter rang out with the delicious smell of good cooking and unity. Joyful surprises were being initiated by everyone in the house trying to keep the presents we bought for each other a secret until Christmas day. As I reflect on how my parents worked hard at their jobs and were committed to teaching us right from wrong, I look back and cherish this time. I was taught it was not about how many gifts we received but being appreciative of all that we have and remembering what that day really stands for “The Birth of Jesus Christ, family time together and the joy on another’s face as we give and they receive”.
My siblings and I would wake up in the wee hours of the morning to see the Christmas tree filled with lights and decorations and presents wrapped under the tree. My siblings and I would look for our name on the wrapped gifts, I can still hear this one is for you. We would then go wake our parents shouting come see, come see. Our parents would get up out their bed that they not too long ago got into because of all the preparation for us and they would join us in the living room to see the surprise on our faces as we opened our gifts. We would then play for hours while Mom went and fixed breakfast. Later in the day we had to stop playing with our toys, get out of our pajamas and prepare to get together with our entire generation of family members from great grandparents, sisters, brothers, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
We would all get together at one family member’s house sit around, talk, share memories and stories, play games, dance, exchange presents and of course Pray and eat. I love this time of year because we would have my favorite turkey and dressing with macaroni, cranberry sauce and lots of desserts.
We were and are blessed as I reflect on what Christmas means in our house. That meaning still remains
…time together as a family in prayer, honoring the birth of our Lord and Savior and being in the spirit and season of giving. Christmas time at our house made all other situations seem to disappear and life was filled with joy, peace, unity, compassion and sharing.
Today as I reflect on then and now I notice something more significant. We spend even more time reflecting and honoring the most significant reason for the season which is the birth of Jesus Christ. It was and still is for our family a time for unity with family, friends, praying for each other and those we don’t know. It is a time to be together as we give praise to Jesus Christ and bless another person by showing love. In closing during our time of gift giving one thing that stood out then and still stands out today is that we open our gifts one person at a time so that we can experience the joy of the person receiving the gift. There is that old saying “it is better to give than to receive” and many blessing come from this family teaching and lifestyle. It is my PRAYER that you and yours have treasured memories of this season and are growing with an even deeper appreciation of the true meaning and reason for the season. God Bless
(Luke 2:10-11) And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold,
I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David
a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
