Memories of Christmas Past

What do you remember most about last Christmas?

How about Christmas ten years ago?

I’m sure a gift or two comes to mind, but I’ll bet family is what you remember most. I remember my boys Trent and Troy jumping into our bed Christmas mornings before the sun even came up. They had patiently waited for December 25^th, now it was time to get things going. Jean and I would grab some coffee and watch the boys disappear behind a tornado of wrapping paper and excitement.

These days, our boys are grown and live on their own, so Christmas traditions have changed. But Jean and I pray they’ll never outgrow the one thing about Christmas that really matters: family. Life goes by so fast that we take it for granted. We’re so busy with dinners and projects and getting from one place to another that we forget to slow down and be present.

That’s a mistake. Life is a relentless march forward. I’d give anything for one more Christmas with my parents. I enjoyed just nine of them with my mom before she died. Even fewer with my dad. Living so long without my mother and father has taught me the importance of being present. All I have with Jean and the boys is right now. I want to cherish every moment we have together.

I encourage you to do the same. Take a look around you this Christmas. Really notice who’s there and who’s not. Linger a bit. Share stories. Make new memories while you cherish old ones.

From Focus on the Family to your family, Merry Christmas!