I know what you’re thinking. Of course there are good things about Christmas–and there’s WAY more than 5. This is just a list of my top five favorite things about Christmas.
1. Our Traditions. In our home we have many traditions we keep every year: An advent tree that begins on December 1st–each day leading up to Christmas there’s a small gift and piece of candy (we have LOVED the Lego Advent Calendars). We decorate our home–inside and out, we make Christmas cookies (and many other treats), we go to the North Pole (Colorado Springs has a great one) for a day of fun and a visit with the “Big Guy”, Santa emails videos each year to see if we’re on the “nice” list or not (PNP Santa Videos are awesome!). On Christmas Eve, Super Rockstar and I lead worship for a candle light service at a church in Monument, then we drive around after to see some Christmas lights, come home for a late dinner (taco’s are our favorite Christmas Eve meal), open up a night before Christmas gift (jammies and books), and then leave out cookies and a beverage out for Santa. Some are traditions from our own childhoods that we have continued, but most are those we have built during our years together that our boys will hopefully carry with them when they are grown.
2. Movies. We are a movie watching family and there are SO many great Christmas movies to enjoy. My favorites (in no particular order) are: Elf, The Santa Claus (1,2, and 3), Miracle on 34th Street, A Christmas Story, All the versions of The Grinch, Jingle All The Way, Arthur Christmas, Rise of the Guardians, Christmas Vacation, Christmas with the Kranks, Home Alone (1 and 2), and–of course–Die Hard.
3. Family and Friends. Christmas just doesn’t seem like Christmas if you don’t get to share it with others. We were disappointed that we had to cancel our annual Christmas party this year due to Covid–It’s always been our way to celebrate with our friends and neighbors. But we have enjoyed numerous social media Christmas greetings from those that usually come–that’ll have to do for this year. There are texts and phone calls from our Texas family and then we travel to Kansas the day after Christmas to share the holiday with my parents and my sister and brother in law (and any of their kids that can make it). Being with loved ones always makes this time of year special.
4. Gifts. I love that Christmas is the season of giving. There is no greater joy than finding a special something for a special some and wrapping it up and placing it under the tree. The anticipation of receiving is so special too. My boys often can’t sleep the night before as they just can’t WAIT to see what they will get. I love that they also are learning to enjoy finding special things to give too. My favorite, favorite part–is to see the looks of joy and hear the exclamations of excitement early (so early) Christmas morning.
5. Jesus. The ABSOLUTE best thing about Christmas is the gift that was given to humanity over 2000 years ago. God loves us SO much that he sent us a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. That baby IS the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Mighty One, and Prince of Peace. He is the promised Savior that God sent so that each and every one of us can spend eternity in heaven. There are no good deeds required. All that is needed is to simply agree with God that you are a sinner in need of a Savior and that Savior is Jesus.
I hope this Christmas day has been special no matter how you have spent it. I pray that you reflect on all the good things and enjoy all the blessings you have been given.