Christmas Thoughts

When I was young I remember Christmas as being an exciting time. All I could think about was what kind of presents I would receive and how many. As I got older Christmas became a time of giving. What kind of presents I could get for members of my family, trying hard to find something special. Later on I would spend countless dollars on gifts for my wife. I loved seeing her open the presents that I got for her, always surprising her with at least one thing she didn't expect. When the kids came, Christmas, was a time for them. I still bought for my wife, but the children came first. As the kids got older I found that Christmas didn't seem the same. All the holiday hoopla seemed annoying and lots of time I couldn't wait for it to be over. Now I have two grandsons, and
for the first time in a long time, I am enjoying the holiday. I started right after Thanksgiving, putting up the decorations and lights. Amazingly I found myself enjoying it. Thanks to my wife the house has become a Christmas village and we
never argued about how many times I had to go up into the attic.
Something else is different about this Christmas. The more I see the glow in my grandsons eyes as they look at the trains and decorations, I have come to understand what Christmas is about. Christmas is a time when we are coming to the end of another year. It is a time when we should reflect on what transpired in our daily lives throughout the year. It is a time for healing and forgiving. It is a time to be thankful for what we have been given. It is a time to
reach out and extend an olive branch to those we have hurt and those who have hurt us. We are all guilty of doing things that cause others harm. We are getting older and life is too short to constantly be at odds with people who we considered to be friends or family. Christmas is about celebrating Christ. We
should make it our priority to be like Him, and make peace with those whom we are at odds with. We should look at Christmas like my grandsons, a time of joy, excitement and awe, and innocence. Christmas is a time for peace, so let's
extend the hand of peace to all in our lives.
May you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy and healthy, and peaceful New Year.