Do you hear what I hear?
I hear the sounds of my children animatedly talking about those brand new toys and other such items they hope to receive...a Lalaloopsy doll, Legos, an iPod touch, a dsi, a wii game or 2 or 3...the list is never ending and it is no help at all that they each have a birthday in January! I hear their voices sharing the news about the latest place Shock, our Elf on the Shelf, has landed or about how many days are left before the big visit from the 'Man in Red' (yes, Santa Claus). I hear their tiny little voices singing with big hearts the classic Christmas songs and carols. Today, I heard the two 5 year olds singing "O' Come All Ye Faithful" and my own heart smiled. I hear them talking about the baby Jesus and how he was born in a manger so very long ago. Just today, I heard them talking about "the baby Jesus star" and how it was different from a normal star. Most of all, I hear excitement and wonder. They are excited as their imaginations run rampant with the possibilities of their belief in Santa and all that he is to them. They are filled with wonder as their young minds interpret their faith and gain greater knowledge of Christ and all that He is to them. I have no issues with them believing in both as they are all well aware that one brings them gifts (an idea that was started when the wise men brought gifts to the Christ child) while the other is the Greatest Gift ever given. These things I hear are God's gift to me as they remind me that "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above..." ~James 1:17
Do you see what I see?
I look around and I see that we have been blessed with so much more than we could ever possibly need and so much more than we could ever possibly deserve. I see also those who struggle financially, those who'd love to be able to purchase a single toy for their child...let alone the multitudes that some buy. I see those who struggle physically, who'd give anything for their child to be healthy...or simply to be at all. I see those who struggle emotionally, those who clearly have issues but have yet to find a way to deal with them. I see those who have all that money can buy, all that society has to offer and yet they lack true happiness. I see those who've been blessed with the tiniest of gifts and suddenly they seem to have it all. Again, I see my own children and know that I must teach them now to pay forward their blessings and to realize that it isn't always about what you want...sometimes it is simply being content with what you have. I see all of this and know that this, too, is God's gift to me for "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." ~ Philippians 4:11
And so I wonder...Do You Hear What I Hear? Do You See What I See? Take the time this Christmas to determine what those things are...I hope that like me, you will find that the many blessings of Christmas truly do bring us goodness and light!
