Favorite Christmas memory from my childhood? I think it was the year that I and my 11 cousins came down with chickenpox.
Our three families had traveled over 8 hours to spend Christmas with my grandparents in Portland, Oregon. Just after arriving, we discovered the small red dots that continued spreading from kid to kid.
I can’t remember the miserable part. Although, I’m sure it was. The thing I remember is how it snowed that year. REALLY snowed!
Several feet of snow was on the ground while kids were stretching out on sleeping bags in every room of the house. The moms were rallied against us and laid down the law- no children were going outside unless they wanted to risk the presents under the tree.
That’s when our dads came up with a plan.
They put on snow pants and plodded out into the backyard. All of us kids had noses and foreheads pressed to the glass of the second-story window as we watched them create the world’s best snow bear (I think it was originally a snowman that lost its way.) We belly laughed as they threw snowballs at each other and did crazy antics to keep us glued to the window. It was the best Christmas ever!
Isn’t it funny the things that end up making a holiday memorable? I don’t remember the presents I got that year or any of the sweets that were definitely there. All I remember is that show our dads put on for us in the backyard.
What if we could create those kinds of moments more often with our family? What if finances or pandemics or family circumstances didn’t dictate the celebrations in our homes?
I’d like to invite you to join us for a sermon series entitled O Christmas Tree. It’s about pressing past the commercialized holiday to discover what makes Christmas really great. Regardless of how things are shaping up for you this holiday season, you will be inspired to add deeper meaning to your Christmas celebration.
Also, if you’re looking for a church where you can celebrate Christmas Eve, we’d love to invite you into our family. We will have Christmas Services Wednesday, Dec 23rd at 6:00pm & 7:30pm and on Thursday, Dec 24th at 4:30pm, 6:00pm & 7:30pm. You can find out more about those services here.
We’re praying today for you to have your best Christmas ever!
