The Christmas "Gift"

First, I truly hope today was a day of wonderfully warm Christmas moments that filled each of you with Joy.

I hope that whatever you did that you felt the Miracle of the Birth of Christ.

My day was full...full of more gifts than I can say...not presents ( yes, I got those too)...No, I am talking gifts! Time with my family...laughing...playing...gifts wrapped in warm hugs, sweet words and laughter.

I heard from friends near and far...wrote the words "I love you" and received those words...I saw pictures of  happy kids.. and grown-ups too.

I got to SING Christmas songs at the top of my lungs... and even sang a few Barry Manilow tunes INCLUDING Copacabana also in loud fashion!! Quite a show!

I had the honor of watching my best friend's family gather together in the middle of a heartbreaking time...and tell great stories about their final days with Randa...they shared beautiful moments with each other with some great love and humor.  Though I know they are all hurting...the gift of family...the gift of celebrating a life...filled the room.

I got to share another Christmas with my sweet Mom...sharing gifts, laughs, music and lots of love. 

And again....though I do love me some presents....the Real gifts of this Christmas were found in the moments....of love, laughter, vulnerability and strength. The Moments that first came with the arrival of a bright star shining like no other star before or since.  The Birth of a Savior!

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising Godfor all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

So...my day is done. I wish Christmas for each of you throughout the year...All the love, light and gifts you can possibly imagine!

Goodnight and Merry Christmas!