// Christmas Presents…//

“You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I’m tellin you why…”  Have you been naughty or nice this year, because if you aren’t you may not get any presents.  Isn’t that the big question that holiday jingle reminds us of?  

I can remember as a child looking through the sale ads with my sister.  We both had different colored markers in our hands and would circle every toy, book, and clothing item we wanted.  Then after we had finished we would hand those ads to our parents.  Later, when Christmas came, somehow the items we circled ended up under the Christmas tree!

I am very fortunate to have an Amazing family.  However, living on my own has given me a new perspective on the whole aspect of Christmas.  I always recognize the Christmas story of Jesus’ birth, however, instead of looking under the Christmas tree for presents this year, I’m interested in the presents that have a more eternal appreciation than material appreciation.  I hope that makes sense to those of you reading this.  But given the circumstances I have faced this year there are no material items I want for Christmas.  There are no ads for me to go through or Christmas Wish Lists to make; the one thing I want MOST for Christmas is to be with my family!

I want to see my whole family joking, laughing, and sharing funny stories that happend in the past. I want to listen to my Grandpa tell one of his childhood stories.  I enjoy the prospect of seeing my family come together and make tamales and eat together at the dinner table, play games, and enjoy my Grandma’s home made pies and empenadas!  That is my Christmas wish.  I want to see my whole family together and happy!

This year I have learned a lot since living on my own.  I’m young and still have a lot more to learn about myself and the world. Having lived on my own this year I truly appreciate the things that cannot be bought.  It’s important to enjoy the gifts of fellowship with family and friends while we can, because those are the eternal gifts and memories that will remain with one no matter where they go in life.  I know that not everyone in the world has the same background as I do in relation to friends and family, so in addition to truly appreciating my time with my family and friends, I want to live every day of my life in a selfless way so that I show kindness to others.  It’s not easy all the time, but I really want to try, because to someone a smile may mean more to them than one could know!

With that I want to share a verse, which really puts into words what I would not only like to do for Christmas, but do each day.  

• Matthew 22:39 “…Love your neighbor as yourself.”  The Bible reminds us how important it is to love and show kindness to others, especially those in need.  In James 1: 27 it states that the, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this : to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”  I want to live a selfless life.