The Presents Unwrapped

Our Christmas morning was much the same as many of you. We gathered around our fresh cut tree that was covered with wonderful decorations of every kind and size, engulfed in tiny white twinkling lights. At the bottom of the tree were stacked gifts of every size wrapped in brightly colored papers and tied up with Christmas bows. Although we are now all adults, the air around us was thick with joy and anticipation as to what lay beneath all that festive paper. As we unwrapped our gifts I noticed the surprise, the joy, and the gratefulness that jumped out of every member of my family. And again, the same as all the years past, those famous family words..."Mama, this is the best Christmas EVER!" (see my blog posted August 19, 2005).

As I stood in front of our nativity and laid baby Jesus in the manger I said a prayer for all. My prayer was that all would discover the Christmas gift that is given to all, feel the joy of this gift, and that they would gratefully acknowledge him and call Him Emanuel, King of Kings and Lord of all! Then, as it is in our house, they can proclaim "this is the best Christmas EVER!"

Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests!
Luke 2:14
Merry, merry Christmas and a very blessed New Year!

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