We have a selection of DVDs reserved just for this month. We’ve already watched quite a few – the Santa Clause trilogy, Miracle on 34th Street, the Grinch, Garfield’s Christmas, and the Claymation Christmas Celebration. And we have so many more to watch in just nine short days! Our “must sees” that remain include Charlie Brown’s Christmas and It’s a Wonderful Life, among others.
I’m especially excited about tonight. Due to the weather, Mike will be home early. After dinner, we plan to watch another Christmas favorite, The Nativity Story. Then we’ll put the kids to bed, or at least send them to their rooms to read, and Mike and I will start wrapping presents.
The kids would be great helpers, except we have all of their presents mixed in with everyone else’s, so that means “No Kids Allowed” as we sort. Maybe one day we’ll be more organized and divide them separately. But for now, Mike and I will embark alone on sorting and wrapping gifts. Maybe if we don't finish tonight, they will help with what remains.
We love parties this time of the year, too! We have already celebrated the holiday with several groups from Mike’s work. The days ahead hold more festivities (weather pending), as we look forward to gatherings with our Sunday school class, the police department, our Disney friends, and extended family.
Perhaps no tradition is more special to us right now than Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with our own children at home. December 24th will include a meal of little pigs in the blanket, roasted potatoes, baked beans, and fruit – very simple, but loved by all! There may be a few surprise gifts ready to open, as well! Later, we will drive to the Christmas Eve service at our church. Upon returning home, the boys will set out their rugs and stockings in the living room and head to bed unusually early.
Christmas Day will begin with the kids coming straight to our bedroom, slipping into the bed, and listening to Mike read the accounts of Jesus’ birth from the Bible. After a prayer of thanksgiving for all God has done for us, including not only the gifts that await us, but most of all the Gift of His Son Jesus, Mike and I will grab the cameras and proceed to the living room.
When given the go ahead, the boys will run straight for their designated rugs. After a time of pure delight (and in Nicholas’ case, shouts and screams) over their new toys and gadgets, they will look through their stockings. Mike and I also have a stocking for one another, so we will follow their lead in searching through the big, red socks and finding our favorite treats.
After pausing for our traditional holiday breakfast of cinnamon rolls, gift giving will resume as the boys bestow presents to one another and to us. Next will come a few “surprise” gifts to the family from such figures as Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, Frosty, and Rudolph. Mike and I will conclude this time by exchanging our presents to one another.
It is not long before we’ll be ready for our Christmas brunch – French toast, grits, and orange juice. The rest of the day is designated for playing, calling grandparents, and playing some more. After enjoying leftovers from our Christmas Eve meal, we will conclude the day with one of our favorite holiday classics, A Christmas Carol.
Without a doubt, we are looking forward to the days ahead. God has blessed us in so many ways. Our traditions may change over the years, but God never will. The miracle of Christmas – God sending His Son to earth for us – is a timeless gift to all. His gift of Jesus is the source of our family's joy and the reason for our celebrations.
“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15
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