Well, it’s that time of year again. Christmas. Everyone’s in a cheery mood. There’s hustle and bustle everywhere you turn. No parking spaces at the mall; the grocery stores and restaurants are crowded. Christmas music fills the air, and the sight of holiday lights warms the heart.
Everyone’s preparing for the big day. That means a big meal, big gifts, and lots of time spent with family and friends. It really is very special. I, like everyone else, have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to get gifts together. I’ve already bought for my kids and husband, but it’s the rest of the family that has me in a whirl. I like to give personal gifts, so the past four days I’ve spent most of my waking hours on shutterfly.com making photo Christmas gifts for all the grandparents. It’s been so time consuming that my house looks like a tornado hit it (ha-ha), my poor family. As you can imagine, it’s become the big joke this week, “So, you’re still on the computer?” that’s the playful banter I usually hear. I promised this week would be better, but I have a feeling it won’t be.
The funny thing is, my two-year-old daughter has brought a new light to this holiday. She doesn’t understand the materialistic or commercialization of Christmas. All she knows is that she loves the lights and music. When we get in the car she asks me “Mommy let’s go find Christmas” it’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard. Then this weekend we were putting up our Christmas tree and she starting belting out “O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,” pretending to be caroling as we put the lights on. We’ve also been reading her a story book from her church school which tells about the birth of Jesus. In the end of the story it tell us that Jesus will come back to take us to Heaven someday. I overheard her tell my husband “Jesus is going to come take me home!” The excitement in her voice brought tears to my eyes!
Do you ever wonder how adults lose their innocence? Of course I do understand that we grow up and see the world for what it really is and all that good stuff. But you know what I mean, right? That simple innocence that allows a child to love, laugh, and be free to experience life. You know Jesus called us to be like children. He knew exactly what adults needed to get back to God. The Bible says, “Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them.” Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew 18:2-4. Wow! What powerful words; they are so true!
However, as simple as that instruction is, it’s amazing how difficult adults find it to follow. Think about it: when was the last time you remember meeting someone truly humble. It doesn’t happen very often, but it’s something we all should strive for. We would have much more peace, and our personal relationships would thrive if we could all learn a little humility. I think it’s hard though because being humble has gotten a bad rap. Some may think that being humble means having a low self-esteem or in some way being suppressed. But it’s just the opposite; being humble means you’re secure in who you are. I look at my daughter and think, if only I could be humble like her. She loves everyone, including the children who push or hit her! She has no ill feeling toward anything or anyone. And in return she doesn’t care if other people view her as naughty or nice. She will continue to live and love life as she always does.
I like this quote I found on Thinkexist.com written by Saint Augustine: “It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.” It’s amazing to think what this world could have been if only pride had not gotten in the way. It would have been perfect.
In the end, I think Jesus sums it up when He says in Matthew 19:14 “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” A childlike character, full of humility, that’s what should be on everyone’s Christmas list this year.
