The hardest thing about moving to Tennessee was leaving all loved ones behind. In California, the Christmas season for us was a time to be jolly. ‘Twas also a season to be busy! With both sides of the family living close by, there was much celebrating and many gatherings to attend. There was much shopping for loved ones to be done and much planning and preparations to be made. This year, however, was very different. Although we very much miss our family back in Cali, we realized we still have much to be thankful for. We have the ultimate gift to treasure – the gift of Christ.
Before, there was much to look forward to when Christmas time came. Our family had to uphold two family traditions. My side of the family celebrates Christmas on Christmas Eve, and Michael’s side of the family celebrates on Christmas Day beginning early in the morning. So for our immediate family, the festivities begin early evening on Christmas Eve with my family, gathering with grandparents, uncles, and many aunts. We enjoy a formal and fulfilling dinner in which everyone contributes. It is followed by hours of games and partying until it strikes midnight when we finally open gifts. The celebration continues on the next day where we join my husband’s family for a restaurant-quality breakfast all the while we enjoy the newly found treasures in our personal stockings. After, we proceed to a full day of giving and receiving presents, marveling and treasuring one another’s gifts. Oh and somewhere in between these two gatherings, we somehow manage to squeeze in our immediate family’s morning time of opening gifts. By the end of it all, we usually head home in the night tired and with one or more kids having a meltdown. Regardless, we are sent off with full bags, full tummies, and full hearts filled by our loved ones.
This year, there is no Christmas Eve party to attend. There is no breakfast buffet to attend. All we have is each other. But in the quietness of just being home together, we found the gift that we often forget through the hustle of it all. The gift of our Lord Jesus.
On Christmas Eve, with eager anticipation, we settled the kids in bed for the night. Together, we opened our children’s Bible and read to them the Nativity story. I realized it has been some time since we read the Christmas story. Because Christmas time usually got very busy for us, we have often forgot to pause and learn together as a family the true meaning of Christmas. Last night, I learned the treasure of having a silent night where we can dwell upon the best gift of all:
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6
What a comfort it is to know that He of all in the world understands what we left behind. After all, He too left His heavenly home to come to earth to seek and save the lost. So although we miss our families, we cherish the gift of being together, the eternal gift of salvation, and forgiveness of sin. And that will always be more than enough to be jolly.
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