Sunday was a great day of Christmasing…We went to Alabama for our extended family Christmas and fun was had by all. I always love getting together with my cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents. We have a fairly large extended family and for those of you who know me well, if you think I talk a lot, come with me to a family gathering. There are those who make me look rather shy. But I love this about my family. We have a lot of fun, carry on 5 to 6 conversations at once, with everyone capable of hearing them all, and we laugh a lot!! We are dysfunctional in our own right, but as a friend of mine reminds me, there is no functional family. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. Most of all what I love is that we are all full of life and we don’t have to ever worry about sitting around and staring at each other. We are constantly talking, joking or laughing and making memories. We are extremely loyal and would move heaven and earth to protect each other. That is a blessing.
On our way back to GA we stopped off and played Santa Claus to a family we adopted. There was a mom, dad and an 8 year old little girl. The three of us had gone shopping as a family a few weeks ago and wrapped all the presents for each of them. We were so excited to meet them and give them the gifts. We enjoyed visiting with them first and getting to know them. Carrie Beth and the little girl became instant friends within minutes of us being there. After we had been there awhile, we asked the mom how they wanted us to bring the gifts in to hide for Christmas morning. She said, “Oh no, let her open them tonight while you are here.” We were a little surprised but that’s what we did. All three of us went out to the car and brought everything in. You should have seen their eyes. They each had 8-10 gifts to open and they enjoyed every minute. As usual we were the most blessed as we shared an unexpected Christmas with a family we had just met. I love how God is in the details of life, for there were so many gifts that we had no idea they needed that we bought. As they opened each gift they were amazed at how we seemed to know what they wanted and needed. As we sat there in their modest home, decorated with a small tree, very beautifully I might add, Jesus was there. They were a joy to talk to, get to know and share that time with. God opened the door for us to share Jesus and they have agreed to come to XL with us after the first of the year. We are thilled.
What I loved the most was watching my daughter get excited about giving this little girl a bit of joy. She couldn’t wait for her to get each gift opened so she could see what her reaction would be. When I was growing up my parents always did Operation Christmas Child with us and we do that every year with Carrie Beth too. We love that as well but there is something extra sweet about having the privilege of seeing the joy in the faces of people when they open a gift you bought for them. Some of the fondest memories I have growing up are when my family helped another family. As we explained to Carrie Beth, we have no guarantees that we won’t be the family in need one day, and oh what a blessing it would be if someone showed God’s love to us in a time of need like that. We are to be Jesus to each other.
We also reflected with her on how God has so richly blessed us with the richest gifts possible….family and friends that love us and the gift of Jesus. And how He has moved in our lives through the hands and hearts of other people. It is a joy to be on either end of the love but for us, Sunday night, it was the breath of heaven that came down in that little living room as God gave us the privilege to be His hands and heart.
I absolutely LOVE buying gifts for others and gifts is not even my love language. It is such an expression of love for me…it is for my mom too. I guess I come by it honestly. We explain to CB that we buy gifts for others at Christmas because the Wise Men brought gifts to baby Jesus. One of our pastors explains it to their children that way and goes on to say, isn’t it cool that we get to receive gifts as well on Jesus’ birthday. I love that. For it truly is not the getting or buying the gifts that is the point. It is the joy and expression of love that comes when I go looking for anything that will say, I love you and you are special to me…just like the Wise Men did for Jesus. It is an expression of love…of the heart. It is possible for the attitude of the heart to be pure as we shop in the maddness that this season can be at times. Even God, gives us gifts every day and delights in doing so. I love that about Him.
It was pure joy to give to our new friends but I must admit, we left there having been given far more than we brought. As long as God allows this will be one of our many Christmas traditions as a family. I say it every year, and I’ll say it again. ‘Tis the Season to spread joy!! May I continue to remember daily after the bows are put away that I can spread joy everyday.
No matter your circumstance this holiday, may you know the hope of Jesus and the JOY He truly brings. There is no JOY without HIM!!
