The cool stuff of Christmas

When I was boy, being one of five kids made Christmas a bit uncertain. We knew our parents had a finite fund to help us get all of our dream gifts. And this meant that we would never get all of our dream gifts. So, we learned to prioritize. Of course, underwear and handkerchiefs were way down the list. (OK ... they were not on my list ...) And through the years, I managed to get a few racetracks and models and boy things. And looking back ... Life was pretty good.

Have children of my own, started a whole new chapter in my Christmas Book. I started thinking of how to bless my kids with wonderful gifts. I forced them to prioritize ... and we bought them underwear and stuff that wasn't on their list ... because that's what parents do. I also managed to buy a few Video games and a bicycle or two. The whole occasion took on a new meaning. It became more than gifts. It was now about the food ... and a few Peters Family traditions that we developed. For instance, when we lived in Seattle, we took all the kids, bundled up, to the mountains to play in the snow ... on Christmas day!

Then ... not long ago, the kids started growing up. And "up" often meant that they had lives of their own. They would go off to college and have a finite time to be home. Christmas suddenly had plane tickets involved. But the whole event was so cool ... to see each child ... even out on their own ... join us for Christmas ... and oh what a blessing.

I'm not sure when it happened ... but my Christmas "cool" shifted again. I didn't need anything ... that you could buy at a store. I just cherish having my kids home. Perhaps this Christmas is special in a few ways. First ... we won't all be together this year ... for the first time! Second, with our Mission work taking off ... we are on a Missionary's budget ... and schedule. And this will likely be the last "even close to" normal Christmas we may ever have.

So, what have I discovered is Cool about Christmas .. in 46 years? Family ... the laughter ... the hugs ... the Faith ... and an awesome God Who has personalized my every Christmas ... and I'm sure He always will!