What a Blessed Christmas!

Christmas morning began here very much like so many others through the years. Crystal and I were asleep in the living room, when the kids came down the stairs. With our oldest three married, that left Graham, 20, Monnie, 18, and Jeffrey 12 (until next month, when he becomes a teenager). We always let the kids get into their stockings, that are hung on the mantel, right away. My biggest job is to run the camcorder and take pictures. After checking the contents of the stockings, I open the Bible and read the Christmas story form Luke, chapter 2. Next we all kneel and pray together, giving thanks to God for the Savior and for the hope we have as we put our faith in Him.

If you read my last posting, "Christmas on a Shoestring," you will remember that I commented on how difficult these times are with wo many struggling this year, unable to buy Christmas presents because they are out of work. Many have lost their homes in foreclosure and are just trying to survive. In times like these, much of what we often associate with Christmas seems so materialistic.

Well, Christmas giving was certainly interesting at our house this year. Our oldest at home, Graham, bought a couple of big gifts for Monnie and Jeffrey. However, the other two were certainly not short on creativity. Jeffrey, gave his mother a gift with a homemade, folded note that read on the outside, To: Mother, Don't read until after present is opened.
Opening the package she found a box of Godiva chocolate inside. Then she read the inside of his note:

Mother, Sorry! I didn't know where to find Godiva, so I gave you mine. I gave you something of mine this Christmas that was special (that you would like) because of God's gift to us. P.S. Sorry 'bout the pieces missing.

Wasn't that grand?

Then after all the presents were opened our daughter, Monnie, had some notes she had written. There was one for each of her brothers, her mother, and me. She really touched our hearts with her words. She wrote these encouraging words to Jeffrey, our youngest:

You are no longer the little boy I helped take care of but a young
man who has become one of my closest confidants. Who would
have thought? Jeffrey, your kindness and thoughtfulness towards
others astounds me at times. I am so very proud of you.

Then to Graham she penned these words,

You've been my comrade so long, it's crazy seeing you step into the
older brother role....Thank you for being there for me Graham and
listening to all my woes. You are a great big brother to Jeff and I.

Then her letters to her mother and I brought tears to both our eyes. With words like these to her mother:

Thank you for showing us Christ's love through your own. I feel like that one song "Trying to write a classic but I can't, these words are my own, from my heart flow I love you."

Then these words addressed to me:

Father Dear, Have I ever told you how proud I am that you are my "Daddyo?" Thank you for being one who encourages us to be the best we can. ...I want you to know how very much I do love you.

What a blessed Christmas!