Some of my fondest Christmas memories are the times we’ve spent in the kitchen baking or cooking. From the time we were in car seats we’ve had cookie dough in our hands “helping” Mom roll out the Sugar Cookies. Planning and making the Christmas Eve/Day Dinner has always been a family affair, each one helping to prepare the meal. As we’ve gotten older, we’ve also started arguing over who’s making this or that and which way we’re going to cook the turkey…
“…remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” ~Acts 20:35
The Christmas cookie baking has always been a staple in our house for as long as I can remember. When we were younger, we’d bake and give it away. Making and taking several dozen cookies to my Great-Grandparent’s house on Christmas Day to share with family or that one year we literally filled the dining room table with goodies to make individual gift baskets for the people working underneath my Dad.
Over time though, things changed. Dad’s work restructured and he no longer had people under him. Once Great-Grandma passed away in 2012 we no longer made as many cookies to take up. Often times my Aunt who was hosting had leftover cookies or everyone would gather at someone’s house the weekend before and have a Christmas Cookie Party making all the cookies necessary for our get-together.
So, we used that time to scale back. Instead of making so many to give away we just make a few of our favorites and made a couple of gift baskets for close friends. However, we soon realized that we make way too much for just our family to eat. So, we started giving it away again. This year we’ll be making some for Dad and Bradley to take into work and share with their co-workers and plenty for us to eat as well.
And I can’t help but think that that’s what Christmas is all about…
Christmas isn’t about how many gifts are under the tree Christmas morning or how much money was spent. Christmas is about recognizing the blessings that we’ve been given by God and sharing those blessings with others. Because Christmas is so much more than just the pretty packages and shiny lights. Christmas reminds us of the hope that we have because of Christ. It reminds us of Who He is and what He has done for us because He loves us!
“And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet in the snow.
Stood puzzling and puzzling: ‘How could it be so?
‘It came without ribbons! It came without tags!
‘It came without packages, boxes, or bags!’
….
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before!
‘Maybe Christmas’, he thought ‘doesn’t come from a store.
‘Maybe Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!’”~Dr. Seuss “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
….
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”
~Isaiah 9:6
Until next time,
Bailey Sue
P.S. Have you downloaded my Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt Freebie yet?
