Christmas joy

Each year Christmas becomes more special in my heart. Its a time that family gets together. I didn't think Christmas as an adult would be as exciting as it is for children until I became a Mom. Each year as the kids get older the more I love watching the joy that comes from them. As a Christian and a Mom my main job at Christmas is making the birth of Christ the focal point of Christmas. Its a hard task with how Christmas is marketed in stores, on TV and even the radio. It is marketed as an event of stuff and the want to the most gifts under the tree. This was the first year that Jax understood the idea of gifts and it was a struggle explaining to him that not having 100 gifts under the tree is ok.

Before we had children we discussed and agreed that each of our children would receive 3 gifts from us at Christmas. With a stocking of course and we made a deal with Santa that he would only leave 1 gift per child each year :) The reasoning is simple. 1. They truly don't need anything. But most importantly it allows us to explain Christ's birth and how he received 3 gifts on the day of this birth. If the son of God got 3 gifts then 3 gifts is more than enough. I will say this year was harder than normal to only get 3 gifts because I love to gift people and I mean kids toys are pretty fun.

I am reminded this morning though how glad I am that we set this rule so many years ago. Both of my children have opened every single box and toy and has played with it for 15 seconds before moving on to the  next toy. Its not their fault they just want to see what the next toy can do but it is a good example of our society today. The idea that one thing is never going to be as good as the next item. The idea that we need as much stuff as possible to be happy. When in reality its the people and family we are around that should make us feel the happiest. Its a constant struggle.

For example as I have gotten older my favorite part of the Holidays is playing games with family. Its a mixture of comedy and competition that is so much fun. Don't get me wrong I enjoy getting gifts but playing ultimate Frisbee on Christmas eve and cards against humanity on Christmas gave me so much joy. To me that is what Christs birth should be about. Family, friends and giving back to others.

So as we welcome 2017 my goal is to teach Jax and Aria the true meaning of being Christ's children and how to serve him to the fullest.