Truly, the greatest gifts cannot be purchased. I pray it does not take my children as long to figure this out as it did me. As we quickly approach the third week of Advent, I feel as if I have received the most valuable gifts of today.
I do not know if I could even share how I feel at this moment in a way that could really give it justice. For me, Christmas Day is sort of a let down with all that we have made it. Once all of the gifts are open it feels like the magic all goes away and not just because the gifts are open but because our Advent readings are over and all of the special Advent activities are complete. Once Christmas is over the focus is on taking everything down and packing it up for another year. I guess that is why the four weeks of Advent have grown to be so special to me.
Each night is special. There is something about sitting together as a family and reading under the tree. The conversations and the messages are all so rich. It is hard to let go of that the older I get and quite honestly the older our children get. How many more years of this do we have?
This week, I have seen the Holy Spirit at work in my kids hearts again. If you are a parent, you know that has to be the greatest gift. COMPASSION has been the fruit I have seen from both of them. The prayers that they say for those that they know who are sick, hurt, or suffering are SO from their hearts. The actions they have taken to provide encouragement to those who have suffered a recent loss fills me and Kip with pure JOY.
Yesterday I had the privilege of joining Hayden’s class at the Senior Center for Christmas Caroling. Talk about partnering with your school! Their character traits this month are Charity/Compassion. I could not with 100% certainty tell you who benefited the most from that experience, the kids or the folks to whom they were caroling. To see these kids walk up to some of the residents and, with full-on eye contact and compassion, wish each one a Merry Christmas as they handed them a handmade card filled me with HOPE. As we left, I got a tear in my eye as I saw the residents savoring each card as if it was the best gift on earth.
God is so Good.
I pray that your Christmas season is filled with;
COMPASSION
JOY
HOPE
and the greatest gift of all,
LOVE
What a precious gift to ALL involved. With my grandmother in a nursing home, I know the joy it is to the residents to even have a smile from a friendly face, let alone the gift of singing, cards and personal attention.
I know they bless you as you bless them.
Reading this brings a tear to my eye as I joy in watching your children grow to love God and their fellow man; watch as they are compassionate and giving. What precious memories and times to treasure
Sis, this description you painted makes me smile. You are such great parents, active in your children’s lives. You are all so blessed, and so are we for knowing you all.
I agree that Advent is a beautiful and enjoyable time. It is sad when we “take down” Christmas!
GBY all!!!