Its Christmas Day night. After a whirlwind couple of days, its nice to finally sit down with nothing ahead of me to do, or some place to be. Christmas Eve saw us frantically cooking, wrapping the last of the presents, and cleaning up to attend our church's Christmas Eve celebration. This was at 4pm, and by 5:15 we were heading home for dinner. Some friends came over, and by 10:30pm we were on our way to Grayson UMC for their annual midnight candlelight service, something we've been attending for about 6 years. I think I finally got in bed about 2pm, after some Christmas "final preparations."
Today was even busier. We got up early and did our family Christmas morning together. After presents, we loaded up and drove to my parent's place on Lake Oconee. We enjoyed exchanging gifts with them, and a big Christmas lunch my mom had fixed. By 3pm we were on the road again, driving to Peachtree City for gifts and dinner with Lisa's side of the family. They are always so much fun to spend the day with. Needless to say, I was stuffed and exhausted as we finally pulled back into our own home about 10pm. We had spent nearly 6 hours on the road between destinations, and ate way too much in one day.
As I sit here tonight, the Christmas tree lights still on, the gifts all unwrapped, the leftovers in the refridge, I'm reflecting on the past 2 days. Its been beyond busy- its been downright hectic! But I wouldn't trade the time spent with people I love for anything. My wife & girls, my side of the family, Lisa's family, our church family & friends- these contribute to the warmth of the season for me. And every year the story of the Incarnation, the birth of our Savior, God coming to us by becoming one of us, is made fresh in my imagination and in my heart all over again. It never gets old with me. There is always something new to see and understand, something new to experience, in the Christmas story. Amidst all the noise, lights, crowds, etc., He can still be found, by those willing to search like the shepherds and wise men of old.
I just watched the music video of Faith Hill's "A Baby Changes Everything." What a beautiful song about the birth of the Savior! He did change everything- in the course of human events, in man's access and relationship to God, and in own life as well. The world will never be the same, whether people like it or not. And I certainly will be never be the same either.
That's Christmas.