The day was filled with presents (not too many), family, food, and fun. Just as Christmas should be. The tree was beautiful and the presents were wrapped. The house was quiet in the early hours of the morning before Grace would wake up and peek through the gift bags 🙂 Aaron’s parents were sleeping downstairs, and the kids were still in their beds. I pondered the peace that was one of the gifts of the Christ Child to us on this day.
Grace woke up early, as usual. She came into our room for a quick snuggle and then headed straight for the tree to see if Santa had brought gifts. I could hear her rummage through the gift bags 🙂 Such childish pleasure! Not soon after, the other two woke up and we all went downstairs to open presents.
We opened presents, laughed, shared some food, and had a wonderful morning together!
This Christmas, it was a blessing to share it with family. While we lived on the East Coast, we spent many a Christmas morning with just our little family, so it was lovely to have others to share this day with us.
I would be lying if I said it was an easy day for me, because it was most definitely not. I missed my mother and father terribly, and it was my first Christmas without both my parents. I was heartbroken, but did my best to keep it together, so it wouldn’t ruin the day for the others. My darling sister spent the day alone in India and I longed for her to be with me.
Although it was rough, the joyful laughter of my children and their delighted faces as they opened their presents, their tight hugs and kisses soothed my wounded heart. I love them so deeply and realized that it was just a drop in the ocean compared to the love that our Heavenly Father has for us. He sent His Son to the earth, to live among us, to teach us, to die for us, so we could have the chance to return home to Him. How much He must love us! I hope I always remember that. Merry Christmas!
