Christmas Eve Reflections 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010 at 4:50AM 
This has been a unique holiday season in our household...especially with moving plans looming in the next year. With the kids grown, Christmas has changed from the wide eyed wonder of little ones, to a more mature, purposeful, family gathering. Ours are pretty happy with their one gift per person and a few stocking stuffers. More important to them, is time curled up watching a few movies, the annual Christmas Eve “snack feast”, and loads of fun-filled game time. We give kudos to them, after being humbled by their attitudes and the fact that even as young people, they can & DO “get” the truth behind this season!
In a few hours, the crew will leisurely rise (the joy of teens!), open a few stocking stuffers, and then play our traditional “Christmas Bingo”. Whoever wins gets to be first to choose one of the gifts under the tree. Each of us has re-gifted or purchased a single item that anyone in the family might enjoy. Subsequent winners may “steal” or choose another. It livens things up & fills the house with love & laughter rather than heaps of unnecessary “stuff”!
One of the highlights this year was that we cut our tree as usual, but this time off our own property. It was extra-special and thought provoking, as this is the last year we may have one for a while & definitely the last in this home!
So, the goal of our tree hunt is to find a straggly, wimpy and somewhat pathetic, looking tree. We bring it in and lovingly garnish it with twinkle lights and decoration. Transformation complete, our "Charlie Brown" tree stands there glowing & gorgeous, despite it's homely beginnings. Leading up to Christmas our tree has a very important job - - it's to focus us on a reminder - - that God took each of us with all of our flaws & made us into something “beautiful” - - through the birth…life...and sacrificial death…of His Son!
We're praying today, that your holidays are filled with joy, even in the midst of CHAOS, and that you treasure time together with family and friends. Louie Giglio shared in his Christmas message this year, that Jesus was not born on a “perfect” day. In fact he was probably the only thing “perfect” that happed just then to Mary & Joseph. The rest of their lives was very much out of sorts: a couple of teenagers, scandal-filled pregnancy, long-distance travel, tax-day, nowhere to stay…! Yet the most precious child ever born, arrived anyways – on the exact day God had planned, so many years before. And He changed EVERYTHING.
Apart from all that God has given us through His Son this holiday season, we are so thankful for you, our family, friends, and ministry team... We would not be preparing to serve without the love, support and sacrifice that you share with us on a regular basis. Merry Christmas!!!!!
Warm greetings & blessings, from our home to yours…
Ted, Rebecca, Tania Grace, Ana, Tynan, Emma & Olivia
Reader Comments (1)
I am so happy for all of you. God will bless you and all with whom you work. You are a wonderful family with so much love to share. You are in my prayers. Please contact me.