When I think about Christmas this year it is a little on the difficult side for several reasons. I could come up with reasons to be a bit of a Grinch or Mr Scrooge. Her are the biggest reasons. First I will not get to see 2 of sons, nor their wives, or my five precious grandchildren. I would love to hold the babies and play with them. They will have a ball no doubt and their excitement will be contagious. But I will not be there to be with them. A second reason is the state of my poor daddy. I will visit and tell him it is Christmas, and he will likely smile, but a few moments later he will not remember or realize what day it is. I do not mean to sound dismal or bleak, but this is just the way it is. So I will celebrate Christmas with my dad holding his hand and talking to God. Daddy always loved for me to pray for him. So I will. Third there is not a lot of extra in our current situation to buy a lot of gifts. So our tree does not have lots of packages under it and we will not have a big time of paper ripping but this is not really a big issue.
Last night our Christmas celebrating with family started with a quick trip to Ellijay to visit my mom's side of the family. The photo above is mom with her sister Maxine who since I was a child we call Aunt Tump. She was thrilled to see my mom and of course mom was delighted to see all of our family. We had a good meal and spend some time talking. Then my first cousins's daughter Sophie blessed us all with a song.
I guess in this idea I want to really put a thought into everyone's head that is willing to listen today. This moment, this time, this Christmas is all you really have. The Christmas of the Past are gone. The Christmas of the future may not ever be. But the moment you have can be celebrated. The celebration of a new toy or a new electronic device is short lived. Even the best ham and sweet potatoes will leave you and you will be hungry again tomorrow. But to know the Child of the Manger and who He really is should be the goal of Christmas present. No doubt Christmas means getting together with friends and family. As we do this do not miss the chance to say to them. I know this Child. I know Jesus. He is my Lord
I enjoyed hearing my second cousin sing from her heart a song to her family about this idea. Mary Did You Know is a popular Christmas song these days and she crushed it last night. Do you know the Savior? This to me says, when you are, where you are, with whoever you are with, be ready to give Jesus the praise He deserves. My Christmas Present and your Christmas Present, will be what you make it. I choose to honor the Lord. This is what Christmas is all about. Our celebrations with family are just starting and every one brings new opportunity to praise the Child who is our Savior. Have a Merry Christmas.
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