The Greatest Gift All

As you may already know, Christmas is part of Advent, and Advent is the Latin word for, “The Coming”. Which may mean to some that we are waiting for Christmas. And indirectly we are. Most children are waiting for more then the day. They have their Advent calendars and there are those ornaments on the book case which they change every morning, counting down the days until Dec. 25th. They are waiting for, wait for it, PRESENTS. Well, okay, we are all waiting for presents. It’s part of the Christmas we have created over the centuries.
In some cultures they open their presents on Christmas Eve. Now, that troubles me some. Why would you open your gift the day before the day of? It doesn’t connect in my mind. Even when I factor in their ability to sleep in Dec 25th and not having to rush to get to church... I still can’t fathom opening something before its time. But who am I to change their tradition. Many years ago, our family opened one gift on Christmas Eve. It was part of a Dutch tradition and a special time with my dad. We would go to their home before church. It was a evening ever filled with lights and food, sweets and decorations and joy of the season and yes, presents.
A long time ago someone once said, “A tradition was at one time just another good idea”. And I believe it’s true. With some, they keep us in a rut. With other traditions, they conjure up memories of the past and the joy and love we felt at another time, in another place. Maybe that is why I love the song, “I'll be home for Christmas, . . . If only in my dreams.
You see, coming home is what it’s about. It doesn’t matter where or what you call home. But as the song suggests, it’s a place, “Where the love light beams”. A place where you feel love and acceptance. A place where you come in the door and you feel more then the warmth of the fire but the warmth of each others heart. I also believe we can and need to start other new traditions. Some that have not even been thought of before. It might just be time to start a new one yourself. Come up with something new and wonderful to you and yours. At the same time remember, something more is coming.
You see, we are all waiting for the coming. The coming of Christ. Mary could not open the gift of a son one day early. She had to wait until God’s appointed time to give birth to a Son, “. . . she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS”. Once a year we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ. The Saviour of the world. He is coming. He is coming in our life and He is coming for our life.
This Christmas, join in our Christian Family Tradition. Won’t you join in accepting the gift of God’s Son.
Something to think about
Rob