Christmas Leftovers

It's a tradition in my family to have all of the kids come to my parents' house for Christmas Eve. If there is a lot of snow on the ground, my siblings bring their kids early so they can sled down the hill by my parents' house. We snack and chat, then have Christmas dinner. Afterward, we gather in the living room, with the fire crackling in the wood-burning stove as we have in all Christmases that have passed in my parents' home. My dad always chooses someone to read the nativity story in Luke 2 (this year it was my niece, Gracie, who is seven years old. She did a great job!). Then, the grandchildren open their Christmas jammies. Once they are all in their jammies, the Christmas present opening commences.

As the single aunt, it's been fun to watch through the years as our family Christmas giving has shifted focus. Before the grandkids joined the family, it was about what mom and dad were giving to us, and what we were giving to and getting from each other. Now, it's about the children. Now, when the piles of bright packages under the Christmas tree create a colorful patchwork against the carpet, you automatically know that most of them are for the children. I love watching the next generation grown and learn, and experience the magic of Christmas! This, however, is a side note to the subject of this blog post. :)

After the bows, crinkled scraps of Christmas wrap, and clouds of tissue paper have been salvaged or stuffed into the hungry mouths of garbage bags, after the toys for each child have been carefully stacked and loaded into cars, after little fingers and toes have been covered in socks, boots, mittens, and the like, after the hugs and goodbyes, the house is left silent, in the glow of the lights from the Christmas tree.

After the celebration has ended, tell-tale remnants of times enjoyed at the house can be found in random places. A coloring book left on the fireplace, two child-sized socks found in the family room, sunglasses left perched on a cabinet. All small reminders of the people who came to my parents' home to celebrate the birth of Christ with one another.

I love Christmas with all my heart. I love the family traditions, mostly because they involve...my dear family. I love to have the opportunity to spend a whole week, really, celebrating the birth of our Savior. I also love the magic of gift giving. I am so impressed by many people who give of themselves through donating to shelters and food banks, who serve food to those who are struggling and take an active interest in helping them to have a better Christmas and winter season. This is a time to remember to help one another, siblings, children of Heavenly parents, as the Savior of the world helps us all. The world is full of goodness and good people, no matter the troubles and woes that beset us.

Merry Christmas, and God Bless Us, Every One!