'Tis the Season

This year was the second year that we decided nobody in our family really needed anything. Not one of us could think of something we "couldn't live without". So instead of buying pointless gifts for each other, we (and by "we", I mean my parents, my sister's family, and our family) opted to pick a family within our own communities to "adopt" for Christmas.

I have been fortunate enough to notice a woman in my Bible Study group who has had a rough time this year. She's been through a divorce, is raising her two daughters on her own and hasn't had many hours at work lately. Despite these difficulties she is still striving to make the best of her life and future for herself and her kids. Being able to witness her inner strength (which she of course doesn't see) made me want to help make her Christmas really wonderful.

So we went out as a family and bought a tree and presents for her girls. It was so much fun picking out books and puzzles and putting together a little "forget-me-not" basket for her...Nothing spoils a woman better than lotions, candles, and chocolate. Just seeing the look on her face was reason enough to celebrate Christmas. The girls tore through a couple presents and were playing with things before we even left and her tree was set up and shining in her living room window for the neighbors to see. She kept saying thank you and giving me a hug and I thought about how lucky my family is to have everything we need, and often more than that.

I highly recommend "adopting" a family for Christmas if you have the chance. It doesn't have to be loads of gifts either. It can be something as simple as watching kids while their parents do some Christmas shopping, or bringing goodies over, reading a book about the real meaning of Christmas, even cooking for them or inviting them to Christmas dinner. It gives me such a warm feeling to know that I've made a difference to someone else and I see Christmas in a whole new way...It's almost indescribable the feeling I have. The Christmas Spirit. They say it's better to give than to receive but my family is learning something about another family every year and we're learning to be grateful and spread holiday cheer over something that some take completely for granted.

So, to everyone out there this Christmas season, Merry Christmas! And we wish you a New Year full of blessings!