What I got for Christmas...

It always sneaks up on me and then disappears as quickly as it came. Christmas. What an interesting time of year. People bustling about, going here and there, in search of the perfect gifts for their loved ones. The money that is spent this time of year must be astronomical! The meals that are consumed-so decadent! The presents, the decorations, the carols, the food, family and friends can all be beautifully overwhelming. It truly is a one-of-a-kind time of year.

This particular year, Christmas has been quite unique for me. I enjoyed a blessing this year that made my perspective extremely different than in past years. I've had the blessing of being so broke that I viewed the Christmas season this year from a very different perspective. Now, don't misunderstand me, I have always known, understood, and reflected on the birth of our Savior this time of year. That will never change. I've watched others flood their children with every high-tech gift out there. That is a great blessing if you are able to do so. I do not look down on parents that do such things just because they've been blessed in ways that others haven't. It's easy for those with less to look down on those who go overboard with their spending. It's an easy way to "deal" with the frustration of having less. I've also watched families with next to nothing draw ever closer to one another and have an appreciation for the few little things they were able to give and receive that those with a lot cannot possibly appreciate. It's a delicate balance between the "haves" and "have-nots". I am fairly new to the "have-not" perspective, but I have a great appreciation for it. It has been an incredible blessing to me this year.

I've gained a much deeper appreciation for the tiniest blessings in my life. The friends and families that gave so generously to me and my daughter in an effort to brighten our Christmas season were nothing short of amazing. I've been in touch with a lot of friends and family members that I had lost touch with over the past few years. What a blessing! My daughter still doesn't quite grasp the concept of presents and such, but she enjoyed all the fun and family time together very much. It showed in her wide eyes and smiles as big as her whole face!

My biggest blessing this year came to me internally. It was a spiritual thing. It stemmed from something I read. Reflecting on Christ's birth it took an interesting spin on the "reason for the season". While we give thanks for the beautiful and miraculous virgin birth of our Savior, it took things a step further. It focused on why He was born. It reminded readers that He came with a purpose. Not to just be the Baby Jesus, meek and mild, but that He had a much loftier purpose. Jesus was born to die on a cross for each one of us. Jesus was born to die. Not a perspective most reflect on during Christmas time. This year, I internally took on this mindset. It completely changed things for me. It was a deeper, more meaningful Christmas than I have ever experienced. It took me away from the parties, the feasts, the flood of toys, gift cards, and such. It took me from a miracle birth to a cross and nails, from a swaddling clothes to a crown of thorns. It reminded me what the whole point of the Christmas story really is: God's love. His passion for me. His determination to buy me back. My mind went from wise-men bearing gifts to Roman guards bearing whips, from a star bright and high in the sky to the sky being completely darkened in God's sadness. It went from gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to gifts of forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life. This year I went beyond Bethlehem all the way to Golgotha. My gift this year was reflections of my God's love for me. He started in a manger, it is true, but it doesn't end there. He died on a cruel cross. He denied death its finality and rose up in order to bring ME home. I will never again see the nativity and be able to stop there. I must go from the manger to the cross. It was the Baby's destiny. It was His goal. I was His goal. No greater gift could have ever been given to me this year or any other. In the middle of iPods, laptops, gift cards, x-box's, clothes, and all the gifts going around, I got the best gift I ever have. I received the blessing of not being pulled too deeply into the "stuff" of the season, instead I was pointed to the real meaning of Christ and His purpose in being born. Born to die. He was born as a tiny baby to bring me back home with Him. He was born to endure the nails-- the spikes of death in order to wash me clean and live with me forever and ever.

What a beautiful Christmas season. What a gift I received. Thank you God, for the new perspective. Thank you for the gift of being so broke that I could see the things that are normally unseen. Christmas time on this earth is a great time. It is a time of food, family, friends, toys (for both young and old) and frivolity. Spiritually, it is a completely different thing. A time of reflection not on things, not on malls, not on the latest high-tech gadget for us or for our children. It is about something much more significant and spiritual--something deep and profound--something ETERNAL. Thank you God for the gift of the nails. Who would have thought that big, rusty, piercing spikes would be the most beautiful gift I received this year (or ever)? Thank you my God, my Savior!