“A Christmas Lesson Learned from my Kids”

As I put up my Christmas decorations last week, I enjoyed watching the faces of my children as they reacted to the treasured ornaments and knickknacks that we’ve collected through the years.  I shared stories of where we’d acquired some of our ornaments and laughed with the kids at some of their efforts as preschoolers to make beautiful decorations.

The more decorating we did, the more excited the kids became about the coming holiday.  I know some of their excitement was due to the gifts they hope to receive and the thoughts of Santa paying us a visit.  However, they do know the true meaning of the Christmas celebration is to honor the birth of Jesus, and they are thrilled that we get to do so many fun things to celebrate His birthday.  

I remember having that same kind of pure happiness and joy at Christmas-time when I was a child.  I wondered when I let myself get so bogged down in the shopping, cooking, wrapping, cleaning, and just WORK of Christmas that I lost some of that joy.  As I watched the wonderment and carefree happiness of my kids, I reflected on a quote I’d read from Erma Bombeck that said "There's nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child."   What a painful truth!

Even Jesus knew that the purest, most selfless love and worship He experienced was that of children:  “He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: 'I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'" (Matthew 18:2-4)

So, this year, I think I’m going to take a little time to be more childlike in my celebration of Christmas.  What about you?