Special Christmas Gifts

As I reflect on Christmas gifts this year I am struck by what matters most. We have spent the last few days picking up and putting away. You know the picture of the den strewn with bits of paper and toys until you can longer see the floor. Even though, in our household every one sits and watches the others open presents, chaos ensues as the little ones' presents get the best of them. Those toys that have the "wow" appeal when they are opened seem to be the ones that are left behind later in the day. Now that we are five days after the big day the girls are busy into the fun stuff. They are painting, crocheting, scrapbooking and listening to music. The gifts that they can work on and create with are the gifts that they seem to love most.

The gifts that are special to our family are the ones that were well thought out or hand crafted. Things like:

• jars of homemade salsa and tomatoes that we love
• favorite candy that I can hide to eat
• the traditional bedroom slippers that are so hard to walk in but must be worn out for the new pair next year
• crocheted stockings that just fits the candy it was created for
• a tea set for a little girl that is just as special as big sister's
• paintings of a place one holds dear to her heart

Gifts of time and energy are recognized as holding part of the gift giver's heart and are so special. When our girls take the time to make a gift for someone we know they've given a piece of themselves. One of our girls likes to take things of her own that she knows her sisters like and wrap it up for them. Her secret became a little too obvious one night when one her gifts started dinging because she had wrapped her alarm clock.

We know the hours spent walking to find the perfect gift or working to pay for the perfect gift are well earned when we see the joy those gifts bring. We also know that the hours we spend seeking The Perfect Gift are the best earned. I pray the we would all reflect on The Gift given so that we might have life.

The pictures above are of the girls after the church Candlelight service, Ray on Christmas morning with the tradional breakfast of pigs in the blankets by the fireplace, and the floor being covered by Christmas.