Merry Christmas to you all. Today I write the Christmas Eve service for our church. I am not really a Christmas sort of guy. Just like this service the season adds more work to my schedule and it always causes some stress for a variety of reasons. So this year I really desired simplicity. Simplicity is what best describes the child's view because they don't carry the stress nor should they ever have to. So why as adults do we forfeit the simple things that truly embody the joy that should characterize the season? I suppose the noble answer is that we absorb the stress so that the children don't have to but I feel it is more than that.
I asked Sharon for a simple day in the midst of the holiday so Saturday we went to Marshall, Michigan. It is a town known for its historic flavor and small town festiveness. We parked and proceeded to go shop to shop visiting with the shopkeepers keeping warm within their nicely decorated walls. But I had an interesting moment within one of the antique shops. As I looked upon those many items that were brand new when I was a child I was overwhelmed with the nostalgic remembrance of my childhood Christmases. I began to shed a few tears as I recalled the family Christmas Eves that included food and presents and all the relatives. I wandered in my thoughts to those who are gone or far away that made them so special. God how I miss them. And then I thought how again we will not be with our kids either. So much of what makes my Christmas joyful is missing.
But some good things came through the hospitable heart of my wife. Saturday morning she invited some of our best friends over for some Belgian waffles. Again Sunday we enjoyed one of Sharon's wonderful spaghetti dinners with friends and took in a show. Here in the midst of our undecorated home we had some Christmas spirit. We shared of ourselves with people we love.
You see it's not the lights or the gifts. It's not the unending list of activities. It's people. Just like those who gave to make my Christmas special. God has blessed us here with a very white Christmas (a beautiful snow is falling as I write) which I think adds to the sense of warmth when we gather with loved ones. And no matter where you are there are people so let us work to not miss the people who God does place around us this Christmas.
One closing note: I just read an email I get from the Ukraine each month that shares with me the lives of orphans there. Maybe you can't adopt a child but many would love just to receive a letter from someone so if there is a shortage of people to love in your life God can lead you to a world full of kids that dream of being loved personally.
Hope your Christmas is particularyly joyful.
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