The meaning of Christmas

I have always loved everything Christmas. I love the Christmas story. I love the lights. I love being with family. I love the weather. I love the presents. I love the food, and most of all I love the music. I listen to Christmas music year-round because it takes me back to happy places. This year more than any other in my life, I have spent a lot of time wondering about the "meaning" of Christmas. Why do we give gifts and put lights up and eat special food? Do we really need all of that to celebrate Christ's birth? My conclusion....YES!

I guess this year, I've heard one too many people say, "Christmas is not about the gifts," or "we've made this holiday into something it's not." I whole-heartedly disagree with these statements. Christmas is absolutely about giving, and I think it should be the biggest celebration anyone has all year. God GAVE us Christ, His Son. He gave him to us as the ultimate gift, and we celebrate that every year by giving to others. What should we celebrate more in our lives than the gift of Christ?

Is Christmas about getting the latest technology or the biggest diamond or the latest toy? No, that's not what I'm saying. But it IS about us seaking out the perfect present for the ones we love, just like God gave the perfect present to the ones He loves. It's the time of year when we show those closest to us how much we love them by giving, just as God gave so many years ago. Think of the joy God experienced by giving us His Son. Think of the joy you feel when you have the opportunity to give someone something special. It's unmistakably, unequivacably priceless.

Now that I have children, Christmas is even more meaningful and more exciting. I absolutely can't wait to see Tyler's face when he sees his Thomas the Tank Engine boots that he runs to every time we walk through Nordstrom's. I can't wait to see Matthew's face when he opens his personalized popcorn bowl filled with goodies. And I can't wait to see Mom and Dad's face as they open the one-of-a-kind vase that was hand-painted by Tyler himself. The Thomas boots, the popcorn bowl, and the vase are the perfect gifts for each of these special people. And what joy it brings me to be able to give the perfect gift as a celebration of Christ's birth. Did I have to be creative in finding ways to fund our Christmas giving? Absolutely. Was it worth it? Absolutely. Do I wish I could have given so much more? Absolutely.

Should Christmas be solely about the presents and lights and music and good food? No, but should Christmas still include all those thing? Absolutely. Mark and I don't make much money, and for a couple of years, I've considered asking if we could just not give or receive gifts from anyone so that we're not so financially strained. Thankfully, we've never actually gone through with it. Although the budget is super-tight, giving is part of Christmas, a necessary and wonderful part of Christmas.

We have some other family members that have decided that Christmas is not about the gifts, and they don't give for Christmas. That makes me sad, and until recently, I didn't know why it made me so sad. Now I know.....they're missing out! I don't care whether or not I get a present, but those people who choose not to give are missing out on the true meaning of Christmas. Why do we strain our budgets? Why do we wake up at 4:00 in the morning to get "THE toy" for the year? Why do we spend late nights meticulously wrapping every present? Why? Because I believe that's what God wants us to do. He wants us to give unselfishly and unconditionally, just as He did, and He wants us to experience the priceless joy of giving in celebration of His Son's miraculous birth.

THAT Mom

I am that mom that other mom's look at and say, "Oh, that poor girl has her hands full today." I am that mom that makes childless people say, "She needs to spank his butt." And I am that mom who the store clerks are VERY relieved to see leaving the building. I took Tyler and Piper shopping today so Tyler could pick out something to give Mark and Piper for Christmas. Even though he's only 2, I think it's important for him to experience the "giving" side of Christmas.

So we went to the mall this morning. First he picked out (with some direction from me!) a sweet little baby doll for Piper. He gladly took the money out of my wallet and gave it to the sales associate. Perfect. "We're learning to give," I thought. This is greatness.

Then we head to another store to pick out something simple for Mark. I know that when I go shopping with Tyler, not only do I have to have a bag of tricks to keep him happy (i.e., cookies, crackers, juice, a toy or two, and some candy only meant for dire emergencies.), but I also have very limited time. He's only good for about 45 minutes, and then the monster starts to emerge.

Well, the monster came earlier than expected and my bag of tricks was futile. He wanted to RUN. "Run, Mama!" I ended up holding his little screaming self while I quickly suggested a few items for Daddy and we were off to the register. I was not ready to go, but Tyler was, and I was about to lose my patience. Apparently, the sweet girl behind the counter felt my pain. She asked the other associate to get me some water. That is so sad. You offer water to people who have just run a marathon or just got finished with a major work-out. Seriously, she offered me water! And you know what, I took it and drank it. I drank it all. She gave Tyler a sticker and let him play with the credit card swiping machine while I checked out.

All the way out the mall, people were parting ways and opening doors for me, most of them with sympathetic smiles on their faces. After carrying a screaming Tyler (no idea why he was screaming...I don't think he knew either) all the way to car, I buckled everyone in including myself and took a deep breath. My hands were shaking. My body was fatigued, like I had just run a marathon. I guess I really did need that water.

Christmas shopping. I think I'll go Tyler-less next time. He can learn to give next year. ; -)
Later, when we got home and all was calm, I called the store where we were shopping for Mark and thanked them for being so kind and patient and for not making me feel like they were secretly wishing I would just leave.

Is it bedtime yet?

hard time

I am having a very hard time being happy right now. I can't really explain it, but if you're reading this, please pray for me.