Merry Christmas!

Christmas day has come once again and with it comes thoughts of home and family and friends. Memories of Christmases past mingle with the present as the day passes on. Memories of joys shared, burdens of grief lifted, and bonds of family and friendship renewed. Earlier this month I mentioned in a post that there are times when the Christmas spirit can prove elusive. There are moments I still feel that way. Still, how grateful I am for the reason we celebrate the season. That the birth of one little child more than two millenia ago paved the way for all of us to come and live our lives, imperfect though they are. I have indeed been blessed with many gifts this Christmas... the gift of family... the gift of friendship... the gift of time shared... and so many more.

A friend recently introduced me to the book A Return to Christmas by Chris Heimerdinger. As I was finishing preparing for church this morning I put the audio of the book on to play. I had only a few chapters left, and I wanted to finish it today, on Christmas. It is a story that encompasses so many of the things I've addressed in this post, how sometimes the true meaning of Christmas can be lost, through tragedy or grief, through ingratitude and taking for granted things we are blessed with. And how, sometimes, circumstances can bring us back to a realization of what this day is truly about - love, unrestrained from our Father and Elder Brother - for ALL of us, through everything we may pass.

May this Christmas be one of peace and comfort to you as we remember the ultimate gift of Christmas.