GIFTS

There they stand.  A row of gifts.  They are not under the tree and they are not wrapped fancy.  A broken leg has changed a lot of “traditions” this year.  And that made me think.  What makes Christmas?  There are so many things — things — that are required for us to have a merry Christmas.

That Santa ornament must hang on the tree first.  Four kids and we each had one.  Mine was marked by a piece of tape that had turned yellow.  Even as an adult, that ornament was the first on the tree.  But one year I could not find it.  It was not in the ornament box.  Somewhere, in a move, that one ornament had disappeared.  Maybe it had gotten thrown out.  It was not very big and, wrapped in newspaper; it could have easily been considered trash.  And, just like that, a tradition ended.

Of course, Santa’s gifts were to be seen first.  He knew just what the kids wanted.  Presents from parents and siblings would come later, but first there was the “look at this” and “how did he know” and the “this is just what I wanted.” Our two children got married and moved to their own homes.  Santa did not come anymore.  And, just like that, a tradition ended.

The strange part is that we believe traditions will last a lifetime.  They do not.  We believe traditions must be carried from one generation to the next.  They do not.  We believe traditions cannot change.  They can.

Christmas morning begins with Bill and I getting ready to have breakfast with our daughter’s family.  We have done this for a number of years now and their four boys think we have always come for Christmas breakfast.  They believe it is a tradition.  It is now.  It is a new tradition

Only two children and six grandchildren, but finding a time to get together for Christmas is a challenge.  There is no tradition on this.  (I refuse to play the “you have to be here on __insert date___.”)  We do Christmas when the majority can be here.  This year we are doing it tomorrow — December 23rd — because that is when the grandkids decided to have it.  After the date was set, we told their parents and invited them to join us.  Some of the kids are coming early to play games, to talk, or to look at old pictures.  Some will be here later.  And, hopefully, all will be here for pizza and presents.  A new tradition?  No, but if it happens two years in a row, it will magically become a tradition and how we always did it.

What is required for us to have a Merry Christmas?  Only one thing.  Only one thing — and it does not require us to be surrounded by family or have a big meal or even a Christmas tree.  What is that one thing?  It is very simple.

What is required to have a Merry Christmas?

To BELIEVE

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given: and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.  Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  Luke 2:10-12 KJV

And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.  Luke 2:21 KJV

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  John 3:16 KJV

What is required to have a Merry Christmas?

To BELIEVE

MERRY CHRISTMAS,

Mary