Isaiah 9:6 – For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (NLT)

As I grow older, I yearn for the Christmases of my childhood.

Being the first grandchild in the family meant a great deal of spoiling. Though I don't remember those years, pictures relay the joy and giving that took place. Prior to my paternal grandmother's retirement, she bought presents with abandonment and worked to make Christmas a special day for everyone — especially the grandchildren. Presents waist-high lay under and around the tree, waiting for eager little hands to open them.

Christmas at my maternal grandparents' house was practical. They were more into the fellowship — telling stories, hunting, cooking, and eating — than the giving of presents. One or two gifts was all I could expect.

When my giving grandmother retired and could no longer afford to buy mounds of presents, mom took over the tradition and continued it until she retired. Now, my wife tries her best to keep the abundant giving alive. But things have changed.

My early Christmases were about togetherness. The togetherness lasted for days. They weren't pop-in visits from children and grandchildren. We hung around, talked, laughed, hunted, and watched ball games together. Never did I hear, "We can be there at ___, but we have to leave by ___."

In the midst of my childhood Christmases, we always remembered the reason that we were celebrating: to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. He overshadowed the presents rather than the other way around, much like the first Christmas the prophet of old foretold. It, too, was all about a birth — and it was simple.

We said blessings at Christmas meals, and just as at Thanksgiving, we remembered that God was responsible for all that we had and enjoyed.

My childhood Christmases were also times of joy — and not just over presents. We were glad to see each other, to celebrate Christ's birth, to eat a meal together, and just to enjoy one another's company.

Divorces and remarriages have now changed the structure of our immediate and extended family, multiplying in-laws and grandparents and dividing our time into tiny increments that temper the joy of being together. Though some of the things from my early Christmases are missing, I still enjoy the Christmas season. Though life is always changing, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8 NLT)

Let's not allow the changing seasons of our lives to steal the real meaning of Christmas. Let us remember the birth of the Saviour, and celebrate it with family and friends.

Prayer: Father, we celebrate the birth of Your Son — and giving — as the real meanings of the Christmas season. Amen.

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About the author:

Martin Wiles <mandmwiles@gmail.com>
Greenwood, South Carolina, USA
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