MOPS: December Coordinator's Article

As I look through my family’s photo collection, I realize that we have an overabundance of Christmas photos. Pictures from my childhood, from my husband’s childhood, and of us as a couple with our three young children. Babies in Santa hats, little boys in matching argyle sweater vests...all of us in our Christmas Eve finest or our Christmas morning robes.

I love seeing these memories, some taken on the same sofa or in front of the same fireplace every year with only our changing hairstyles, ages and outfits to mark any difference. They show how our families have grown and changed over the years. That photograph of the squishy baby propped up against a giant gift is as endearing to me as the gawky teenage pictures of myself with 1990’s bangs, a tacky Christmas sweater and legwarmers.

But those photos really only tell part of the story. What about everything leading up to and following the Big Day? The kitchen covered in flour as Mom bakes cookies with three young children and the chaotic mass of wrapping paper on the floor Christmas morning are all part of what makes this time of year special. It's those times when we forget to take out the camera to capture "real life" because we are anticipating the beautiful moments when we will all look picture-perfect on one special day.
Most importantly, why should the photographs of ourselves trying to look perfect be the most treasured when we all know that we are not perfect. Not even close.

Have we forgotten to capture the beauty in the mayhem because we are too distracted to see it? Or see Him, for that matter.

This Christmas season Santa may be at every mall and in every catalog, but Jesus’ quiet entrance into our world so many years ago is the reason why we are even decking the halls with boughs of holly today. Santa may be asking your little ones what they want for Christmas this year. But the excitement on a child’s face when he gets to pick out a gift for his sibling and practice the art of giving is priceless.

Maybe everyone isn’t smiling in that sought-after formal Christmas photo, but treasure the time that you have with your loved ones instead of mourning the lack of a good photograph. Memories of times shared with your family and friends will outlive that Polaroid.

Jesus was born to love you. He wants you to follow Him on a daily basis. Most importantly, he yearns to celebrate his birthday with you, as a friend.

So this season, rejoice in the “real life” moments that typically would pass you by. Start traditions with your family and friends. Show your kids that giving can be just as exciting as receiving. Above all else, rejoice that Jesus was born to be your Savior and to love us unconditionally, today and always

“For unto you is born this day, a Savior who is Christ the Lord.” ~Luke 2

May you and your family have a blessed Christmas together celebrating Jesus!