My Best Christmas!

[AvieJoysmommy]

My Christmas was AMAZING!  How was yours?

     We changed our whole outlook on how to celebrate and in return it changed us as Christians!  We decided to spend less and give more of ourselves instead.  We made homemade gifts, spent time with our family, and did things as a family that we had never done before.  It was the BEST Christmas I have had in a very long time. 

     PresenCe is what is important ~ NOT presents.  This was made very apparent during a trip to the ER on the day after Christmas.  I was talking to the man sitting next to me and asked him if he had a "good Christmas" to which he responded "Not really, money is really tight so we didn't do much."!  WHAT!  He had spent the day with his family and all he could think about was what he didn't get in terms of "STUFF"!  How sad!  As I sat there thinking about this, the man's wife walked up and told him that his Grandmother had had a heart attack and that they were admitting her.  Here this man is complaining about not getting enough gifts for Christmas and it may be the last one he spends with his Grandmother.  What an idiot!  I truly feel sorry for him.  I am so thankful that I spent time with my family and that gifts are no longer that important to us. 

     Giving your time to your children is what they remember!  Think back to when you were little and try to remember what you got for Christmas.  Sure you remember the BIG items such as your first Cabbage Patch Kid (you probably even remember her name LOL).  But do you remember every gift?  Not likely.  Now, think back to all the times you went sledding, ice skating, made cookies, read the Christmas Story, went to Christmas Eve service, went caroling, or decorated the Christmas tree with your family.  I can remember so many, if not all of those things!  Those are the memories that I cherish, not the Cabbage Patch Kid! 

     My family and I are striving not only to put Christ back into CHRISTmas but also into our daily lives.  I challenge you to do the same!  You can start by following these 3 simple steps:

1.  Worship more fully!

2.  Spend less!

3.  Give more of your time and give more to charity!

It is so simple and it makes a tremendous difference in your life!

     I pray that God will bless you and your family in 2009 and that you all become the people that He wants you to be.   

                   Sincerely ~ Your sister in Christ ~ Julie