Christmas used to be more fun.

Friday, December 07, 2007

I can still remember getting chills down my spine walking through the mall hearing the beautiful Christmas music and seeing the lights and gorgeous displays. I was completely oblivious to the work and scurry going on all around me to create that little spine chill.

Now I am grown, and I have 4 little kidlets of my own. Christmas has become a chore. Gotta put up a tree. Gotta decorate it. Hang up lights. Buy presents. Keep them hidden from one very curious and crafy 4 year old boy. Wrap presents. Clean the house for company. Etc etc etc.

It was so much more fun as a kid. Who knew? All those hours I wasted as a kid wishing I was a grown up, and now all I want is to see Christmas again through a child's eyes. I guess that is why God gave me children- I can live vicariously through them, and maybe even send a few chills down their spines.

I don't know if it is my realization of commercialism that killed it for me or what. I know that I should be more focused on the real meaning of Christmas. Not the fake "spirit of Christmas" junk, but the REAL meaning of Christmas- the birth of our Savior. But it is so easy to get caught up in the hype and not even enjoy any of it.

So as my little Abbie stares at the gold garland on the tree and giggles, and can giggle with her, and know that she can't even appreciate the value of that grin on her face. She is such an angel- and not some feathered angel atop a tree- the kind that shines brightly in the room and brings a message from God.

"I love life... I love Christmas... I love you."

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