Challenged To The Core - Kathi Brixey

It is all over the media, the newspapers and on the faces of most people I see every day. No one appears to have been spared from this economic crunch that the country is experiencing. This year because of the economy we are changing things up in our family. We have decided to not over load on gifts, but rather exchanging things that will create new memories. We will be spending time together in front of the fire playing games, playing in the snow, eating, tickling, teasing, and did I mention eating. One of the things I love to do at Christmas time is bake all the goodies that our children love and say it wouldn’t be Christmas without. This Christmas season will be a time of reconnecting for a lot of families in our nation. When you can’t say it with gifts you have to say it with words, hugs, and most important time. When was the last time you just spent the afternoon or evening with your family? So often we want to drop off a gift, say hello and move on to the next event never giving any thought to what kind of message that is sending. Even though it might be unintentional it could be perceived that you don’t care or can’t be bothered to spend time with your family. It’s time we take back Christmas, back to being with family, back to where it really belongs; back to Christ. In Hebrews 13:5 God tells us that He will never leave us or forsake us, can we say the same about our family? God set the perfect example for us. Our focus should always be on Him, not money and all it can buy. We can never out give the Lord or measure the importance of investing ourselves in others. Christ’s birthday (Christmas) is based on the ultimate unconditional love gift, He gave himself! Material things will break or dry up and be discarded along the way, but the gift of your love and time never tarnish or grow old. Can you remember the excitement you felt as a child when a grandparent or aunt arrived at your home? You couldn’t contain your laughter giggling out loud. It was because they were there to spend uninterrupted time with you. They were giving you the gift of an “old fashion family Christmas”; themselves, awesome!

When you were five years old what did you get for Christmas? Think hard…now can you remember? Of course most of us can’t remember that far back, but what we do remember is that we were with our family. Over the years I have observed that most small children would rather play with the box a toy came in rather than the toy itself. Half the fun of getting presents is opening them up. Some of our relatives enjoy this part so much that they will take each piece of tape off, then unwrapping the paper just so, as if they would be able to keep the wrapping, prolonging the anticipation for what seems like an eternity. Do you have anyone in your family that does this? You just want to jump in there and help them along! However, that would spoil their fun. Some of my fondest childhood memories are baking with my mom and brothers, taking baked gifts to the neighbors, and decorating the Christmas tree together. There are so many more, but none of them are based on what I received from Santa that particular year. I know that I received games, dolls and clothes but I couldn’t tell you what year or from whom they came. I do remember putting together jig saw puzzles in front of the crackling fire in the evenings while sitting in the glow of the Christmas tree. I also remember my mother coming up with the idea to make saltwater taffy one year with my brothers and me, including the cousins. We were still finding taffy the following spring in the kitchen. These are crazy childhood memories that I will always cherish and pass on to my children and grandchildren. I could probably write a book on all the silly and precious things that our children have created that have become traditions and memories over the past thirty three years we have been parenting. This year we will be anticipating making more new memories with each other and the grandchildren, and creating new family traditions. We are having an “old fashion family Christmas”.

There is something special about the whole family gathering for the holidays. Sitting together, reading the Christmas story from the Bible then gathering around the table to share a meal as well as sharing what exciting new things that God has done in each of our lives this year. It can be very fulfilling. This Christmas try making time with the family the main focus. Take this opportunity to share the real reason for Christmas with all the children in the family. Maybe even invite someone to share your holiday meal. The holidays are only what we make them to be; either materialistic and empty, or a Christ centered family occasion to remember for years to come, you can make it an “old fashion family Christmas” too.

As you are making those last minute preparations with the hustle and bustle of the season, look around you, do you sense something new in the air? No, it’s not the sound of jingle bells on a sleigh with eight tiny reindeer, but it could be that you are sensing a desire to take back Christmas. Take it back, wrap it up and put it under the tree for your family. Be sure to mark it “Open before Christmas” so the fun can begin early. Don’t waste a minute thinking that you don’t have enough money to give everyone a lot of things, all they really need is more time with loved ones; you. May you and yours have the best “Old Fashion Family Christmas” ever!