The Monkey Barrel

I have rewritten this about a hundred times and still don’t feel I’ve adequately captured the wonder of this Christmas to be able to share with you. There was so much worry and anxiety and just plain dejection anticipating the day that I hadn’t the slightest hope of actually experiencing anything happy about it at all really. But there was such a peace and a calm to our morning. Even in the midst of their excitement the boys were beyond patient waiting to get pictures taken and opening things at a more slow pace than we usually do. Each of the boys was equally delighted at what the other had gotten in addition to the gifts they’d recieved themselves. There wasn’t the usual chaotic shredding of paper and squeals and hyper craziness that usually ensues once we hit the floor. It was just beyond joy to spend the morning delighting in our family and the opportunity to share it together.
This year more than most I felt the importance of what the season meant. Not the gifts under our tree, not the decorations, or the lights, or the parties, or the food, but the baby in the manger who was a gift for us all. I truly felt the magnitude of what Christ has given to me in Himself and the bonus of the love of my family and friends as an added measure just because He loves me so much. I pray your holiday was as full and that the year holds for you constant reminders of Christs ever lasting, ever pursuing, ever faithful, ever constant love of you.