It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas in these parts. The sunshine here in Florida is deceiving. You walk outside and it feels like 30 degrees.I remember growing up in our home in Massachusetts, and being so excited as I ran up my long driveway in anticipation of watching the latest movie on "Countdown To Christmas". This usually consisted of the classic, "A Christmas Story" being played for 24 hours straight on the local TV station. "You'll shoot your eye out!" became a famous line associated with any talk of Christmas movies.
You really knew it was Christmas when your parents had a fresh pine tree in the living room right after Thanksgiving. My mom always gave my dad the messy string of lights to sort out (that is, the ones that still worked). He would last about 5 minutes untangling them before he got frustrated and gave up. Then we'd take a trip to Walmart for a set of new ones. Carefully, we'd unwrap each delicate gold-plated ornament and strategically start decorating our tree.
Then, the anxiously awaited Christmas Day finally arrived. My brothers and I would get up at the crack of dawn and run down our long hallway to the living room to take a peak at all the beautifully wrapped gifts under the tree. As a family, we didn't do "Santa", but my parents still felt the need to sneak around in the middle of the night on Christmas Eve and plant our presents under our Christmas tree. They knew we liked surprises. We'd catch the local Christmas parade, and "A Charlie Brown Christmas" while playing with our toys as my mom basted the turkey and prepared for Christmas dinner.
To be honest, I can only remember one or two presents I received over the years. Christmas for me is not about getting or giving gifts. It's about God's greatest gift of all - His Son, Jesus Christ. Because of our hope in Him, we can come together as a family and rejoice because we have the most indescribable gratitude for what He has done for us. I love how the Apostle's Creed describes this gift:
I believe in God the Father Almighty. Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only son our Lord. Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary. Suffered under Pontious Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell, the third day he rose again from the dead. He descended into heaven, where he sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence, he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
I love this old hymn by Charles Wesley. My favorite part of the Charlie Brown Christmas movie is when all the kids sing,
Hark the Herald angels sing!
Glory to the newborn king!
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled.
Joyful all ye nations rise,
Join the trimphs of the skies.
With angelic hosts proclaim,
Christ is born in Bethlehem!
Hark the Herald angels sing!
Glory to the newborn king!
Merry Christmas, let's not forget why we celebrate this season.
