A Christmas Tradition

 

I started a tradition four years ago with the birth of my first grandchild—a grandson. And now I also have an almost 2-year-old granddaughter.   They are both sweet, loving children—and quite normal, for they love receiving presents.

While I cherish the fun of buying them special Christmas gifts, I truly longed for a way of showing them the real meaning of the Christmas season.   I know from my own experience the joy that comes from giving to someone who is in need, and I wanted my grandchildren to have this experience as well. Thus the tradition: buying a gift for someone in need each year as one of their Christmas presents.

Here’s my hope: As they begin to grow older, they will be just as excited on Christmas morning to discover who they helped this year as they will be for any of their other presents. And as young adults and eventually a father and mother themselves they will continue this tradition of giving a Christmas gift to others.

My grandson’s presents over the past 4 years have been 2 chickens to a family in Africa, a doll to a child in need in the USA, a warm coat for a refugee boy in Syria, and this year—a winter care kit for a refugee child in Europe facing a freezing winter.

For my granddaughter, her gift last year was 2 weeks of milk for a hungry baby—and this year, a loving-care package for an orphan girl in India.

I read a devotional earlier today entitled, “Life is Best Lived When You’re Awake.” The author’s premise: Appreciate all that God has given you. Pay attention to the wonder of being alive. Notice and help the people around you—especially those in need. Then he asked, “Are you awake?”

God bless you as you think about and give to others in need this glorious season—as we celebrate the Birth of our Lord! Merry Christmas.

Gift ideas for children in need all over the world can be found at samaritanspurse.org and worldvisiongifts.org. You can make a difference for a child or a family in need for under $25.

 

Out of the Mouths of Babes—A Christmas Message

My 3-year-old grandson and I had a conversation a couple of days ago.

He’s learning his family history. His mommy’s mommy and his mommy’s daddy, and his daddy’s mommy and his daddy’s daddy. We live in a complicated world—and his world is complicated with multiple blended families.

My grandson has Papa Ron and Nana (that’s me), Cuckoo (his other grandmother), Papop (his grandfather on his mommy’s side), his Grandpa Gavin (his grandfather on his daddy’s side) and Grandma Penny (Gavin’s wife).

Our conversation went like this:

My grandson said, “Cuckoo is Mommy’s mommy. Papop is my mommy’s daddy. Grandpa Gavin is my daddy’s daddy. And Grandma Penny is my daddy’s mommy.”

I said, “You did a really good job. But—who am I?”

“You’re my Nana,” he said.

“Yes, I’m Nana, but I’m also your daddy’s mommy.”

“No,” he said, “Grandma Penny is daddy’s mommy.” I asked, “Why do you think Grandma Penny is daddy’s mommy?”

“Because she loves daddy,” he said.

To which I replied, “But I love daddy, too.”

He looked at me with the saddest eyes and mournful voice and said, “But you said you love ME.”

“I DO love you,” I said, “but I love your daddy, too.”

“Oh,” he said with a smile, “then Daddy can have two mommies.” Then he gave me a big hug and the conversation was over.

This morning, as I was recalling our sweet discourse, I thought about the following:

We are all loved deeply and equally by Our Heavenly Father.   And as we celebrate Christmas, may we remember and rejoice in this:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

–John 3:16

He loves not just me, not just you…but all the world. And He sent His only son into this world to save us. This is why we celebrate Christmas.

Merry Christmas to all—and may God bless you this holiday season and throughout the new year!