Christmas is Coming!

Exactly a week ago, I had not yet begun to shop--now, I am officially done!  Woohoo!  That's pretty much how I prefer to operate, get in there, get the job done, and now enjoy the festivities.  Of course, one of the highlights of last week was spending the day in Paducah with my husband for the purpose of Christmas shopping.  What a treat to get away for a day together, and boy, did we spend some money!  Last year we didn't get to buy presents for our own children, so this year we had a blast doing it.  (Last year it was their idea to take the money we would normally use to buy them gifts and instead, buy presents for a needy family.  It was a wonderful experience and we were so proud of them, but Jason and I were both surprised at how hard it was for us as parents not to buy presents for them anyway.  That remembrance made our shopping day last week even more delightful.)  Because our kids don't make wish lists for us, for the most part, they have no clue what's now under the tree for them.  Apparently before last night, the oldest two hadn't looked closely at the wrapped presents.  But last night they decided to see which ones were for them.  Listening to them from my bedroom, I couldn't help but smile. . .well, actually laugh as their conversation unfolded.  "What does this mean?  It says 'To: 4'--who's that?"  "I don't know!  This one says 'To: 72'--that must be for me."  "Oh, this wrapping paper must be for Schaeffer so he's probably number 4."  "Wow!  There's a lot of presents for 72!" "There's even a 67." "Mom, how are we supposed to know who these presents are for???"  Then it was my turn to smile, "It's my secret code."  As the searching and guessing and excited questions continued, I felt my heart swell at the excitement growing in my oldest two children.  Lindy even said later, "Before I looked I really didn't care, but NOW. . .it's driving me crazy!!"  And believe me, we had her in mind when we created "the code"--it had to be uncrackable by these two sharp minds. :)  I think we've got 'em!  And now MOM can hardly contain herself at the thought of Christmas morning fun.  I know Christmas isn't all about the presents, but the joy I feel at knowing how much my children will enjoy what their daddy and I have bought for them reminds me of the joy my heavenly Father must have felt that day so many, many years ago when He sent His only Son to be our Christmas gift.  Now, how will I feel if one of my children rejects a gift I valued enough to buy for them?  Nothing close to the sadness and disappointment God must feel every time someone rejects the ultimate, sacrificial gift--His Son, Jesus.  In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I want to take time to remember the awe I first felt when I began to understand God's gift for me.  Let's not get so "wrapped up" in gifts that we overlook the Gift that is still changing our lives!  Enjoy the festivities and let's agree to keep Christ as our focus this Christmas.