There is, of course, also great excitement about gift-giving and receiving.  This year is unusual because we are secret coding every package and no one will know which is their gift until Christmas morning.  This should eliminate a lot of shaking, rattling and gift handling – we hope!

Family gatherings and festive meals are also an important component of our Christmas traditions.  For several years now I have prepared and stuffed the turkey.  Everyone claims I do a great job, and they have no intention of pulling the carpet out from under my culinary responsibilities.  These are blessed days full of noise, happy laughter and meaningful connection with our loved ones.

However, the greatest meaning of this season for my family and I is the fact that we recognize the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all that transpires around the holiday.  We emphasize to our children that all blessings flow from God, who is creator and sustainer of this universe (James 1:17). We focus on the fact that the greatest gift to man is that of Jesus Christ when He died in our place – for our sin – on the cross at Calvary (2 Corinthians 9:15).  Before one gift is opened in our house on Christmas morning we turn to one of the great passages on the birth of Christ and read it aloud.  There follows a time of singing, sharing and prayer.  We don’t rush through our Christmas, but enjoy it in a spirit of gratitude.

Along with the family celebration, we also greatly enjoy the fellowship and activities of our church family at this season.  What a privilege to share together in the real “Reason for the Season”.  The caroling, sharing and worshiping togetherness of the church are essential to a true perspective of Christmas.