This is an exciting Christmas time in our house. There is nothing like a child in their first Christmas time. Malachi gets to experience his first Christmas this year. He gets to experience the reading of the Christmas story from the book of Luke before we open presents. He gets to experience our family discussion about the gift of Jesus and what Christmas is really all about. He also gets to experience our family prayer time for those who are struggling this Christmas time either spiritually or physically. These are our family Christmas habits in the Johnson house each year.
I get concerned when I hear kids talk about their Christmas experiences and it’s almost always about a gift they have received and expressions like “this is the best Christmas ever!”. As parents, it is our spiritual responsibility to make sure our children from the earliest possible age understand and have proper perspective about what this season is really about. It’s about a little baby born in a cave that grew up as God in flesh to die for the greed we sometimes obsess ourselves with this time of the year.
As you and your family celebrate and experience the Christmas weekend, make sure that the love of that baby Jesus shines through in everything you do and say. If Jesus really is the reason for the season in your house…make sure there are examples to back that statement up this year.
As I close. Thanks for reading my blogs and for the comments I have received. I am truly blessed to have incredible family, friends, and an incredible church to be a part of. My greatest gifts are not going to be under a tree this year. My greatest gifts came in a manger, are right now laughing and playing together on my living room floor (Hannah-14, Brianna-10, and Malachi-6 months), and made me the happiest man alive when she said “I do” 16 ½ years ago!
Merry Christmas!
