Several years ago, I saw an acquaintance a few days after Christmas. I asked if she'd had a good Christmas. This person was in her 40's. She might have even been in her early 50's. Her response astonished me. Again... Did you have a nice Christmas? "Yes, I got everything I wanted."
Wow! I didn't say it, but I thought.... "how sad." THIS is how she measures a nice Christmas? By the stuff she gets? Again, she wasn't 4 years old! She was more than 10 times that. An adult.
This morning on FaceBook, another friend shared some wise words. (She usually does).
She had a post where she said at this time of the year, she doesn't want Christmas to get here just yet. I agree. The anticipation of time with family is really something special to look forward to. My friend said she wants the family time to last longer than forever. The laughter and love to last even longer than that and the joy we all have to be with us and in our hearts for infinity.
Whatever Santa brings doesn't compare to the best gifts of all: Family, friends, love and laughter.
She mentioned the pride at who their adult children have become and the individuals their grand littles already are.
In our case, Jack and I have tremendous pride at the loving husband and doting daddy our son has become. We are proud of the beautiful love of his life that God led him to, and the loving wife and amazing mommy she is. We love watching the blossoming of our granddaughter as she becomes a smart, kind and caring human being. And we look forward to the arrival of her little sister in a month. When we will start the process of watching another beautiful human unfold. And we want to spend every moment we can with them all.
I smile when I type all that because I can still hear the late, great Jimmy Guess (our best man) saying what you should be is a "useful and productive citizen for society." But.. I digress. (I usually do, and I can see Debra Pollard rolling her eyes at that.)
Notice I didn't extol the virtues of how our children are employed so they can be productive for society. They are both very good at their jobs. But in the end, it is relationships that matter most. It's not how you put the food on the table that matters. It's not the actual food on the table. It's who is around the table with you. It's not what's under the tree, it's who's around it.
Like, Jimmy and Debra, there are friends and family who are only in our memories. We should be thankful for the time we had with them. The laughter and the love. And all this should make us more grateful for those who are still with us. I mean, my goodness... Covid took so much of our family time away, we should realize more than ever how precious time with family and friends can be. I just pray that my friend in the first paragraph has learned this by now.
So be sure to cherish the gifts you get. The gifts that smile, breath, love and hug you. The gifts that sit beside you and eat with you; laugh with you; pray with you. THIS is how you should measure Christmas. This. This and thanking God for His Greatest Gift of all. The One that really does last an eternity. Happy Birthday, Jesus!