Christmas is my favorite day of the year. It’s a big deal at our house, a really big deal. Now I’m not here to disregard that it’s Jesus’ birthday because we have a tradition centering around that fact. You see Jesus cannot be placed into the manger until Christmas morning simply because he’s not born yet. So Jesus unassumingly sleeps in the drawer of the dining room buffet until Christmas morning, and then he is placed into his manger, because………he’s born Christmas morning! And we do thank God for all of our blessings, truly from our hearts. But Christmas is also about childhood wonder, family traditions, and magic. The magic of Santa is alive and has been fostered for decades by mysteries that have unfolded over the years in our home. Yes, we always did the obligatory milk and cookies. And Santa always wrote the kids notes in his unique block penmanship with antidotes for each child in regards to their strengths, accomplishments and a little bit of advice on things to work on throughout the year. There were special Santa gifts wrapped and signed by Santa himself in matching block script. When the kids went to bed on Christmas Eve the lights were dimmed, the tree was lit and there were no gifts under the tree. Times were negotiated as to how early was too early to wake up Joe and I. Upon awakening in the morning, miraculously there were gifts overflowing from the tree. Santa had arrived! My comment to friends was usually something to the effect that it looked like the tree had vomited gifts. The look of joy and wonder was priceless. The enchantment was reinforced one year when freakishly the falling snow on the roof, outside our son Christopher’s window, looked as if two sleigh tracks were formed from Santa’s sleigh sliding and taking off. We went crazy….”Oh my gosh, he was right outside your window!” “Did you hear him!” “Did you see him!” “I’ll bet this is where he parked his sleigh when he went up to the chimney!” It was one of those magical moments when you see true wonder in your children’s eyes. So needless to say, Christmas is a BIG deal at our house. This year Chistopher (28), his wife Jessica, our daughter Niki (23) and her boyfriend Logan spent the night Christmas Eve. I have to throw in the caveat that Logan did sleep in the den because we’re “those kind of parents.” As par for the course, the negotiations began regarding how early they could wake us up in the morning. My heart was full – here they were, adults, still finding excitement and joy in family traditions. As usual, they went to bed and we proceeded to haul out boxes, bags and parcels as we put gifts under the tree, filling stockings, even dog & cat gifts, and sprinkling a little magic with a lot of love before we headed to bed. Christmas Day was wonderful. First gifts, then breakfast, more cooking for Christmas dinner and Jessica’s family joining us for dinner and celebrations. I thought I couldn’t be happier. As we finally all sat and relaxed, Christopher and Jessica came into the room with two small square boxes. “There were a couple of gifts that haven’t been opened yet. These are just for the Mom’s.” We opened the boxes and inside were small newborn onesies that said “Best Gift Ever!” I lost it! Pregnant! Excitement doesn’t describe what I was feeling. Jessica’s mother, Maria, and I hugged and cried. Tears oh a lot of tears!!! Happy joyous tears!!!!! And yes….this was truly THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!
