Recently I sat pondering the coming Christmas and ways I could make it great with gifts and “things” we really cannot afford. My children were at play all around me and I heard myself say to them, “Go watch television, read, or do something.”

As my words echoed, I got a guilty feeling in the pit of my stomach. I tried to concentrate and continue to plan with “lists” about Christmas.

Christmas – the word too often means big expenses, confusion, or loneliness.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I love Christmas, but it can make you crazy if you let it, as I sometimes have.

Something on television caught my attention and I got up to see what it was. It was a tragic story about the young mother who killed her two little boys by pushing her car into a lake.

It seemed like a direct message from God telling me, “Think! How is that Mother’s Christmas this year? Is she worrying about gifts to get remaining family and friends?”

My tears flowed as I remembered telling my precious little ones to leave me alone to work on Christmas lists. Silly me! My thoughts changed to, “Thank you, God. Thank you for reminding me what Christmas is really about.”

Christmas is not about last-minute shopping trips, expensive gifts, or beautiful packages under a beautiful tree. Christmas is about celebrating Jesus!

Christmas is the joy of family, children, love, and peace of mind. I felt a great sense of relief as I realized I have my gifts with me every day. My gifts are my precious family, a big heart for love, and a sense of inner peace from God.

Remember to look around at what you already have as you plan your Christmas this year.

Christmas came to us through the beautiful baby Jesus. We all have this ultimate gift, free to accept and free to give to all around us. The gift is God and all the good things of life that come from Him.

So pass Him around. Give smiles, hugs, and love to everyone you can and the real joy of Christmas will last your whole year through.

“Dear God, I thank you. I thank you for opening my eyes to what giving is all about. I can never begin to repay you, but I can accept the gift of your perfect love, and I can pass is on every day of the year. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.”

(brc . . . Christmas  Holiday church book in 1996)