Finding Christmas

The Christmases of my childhood could be defined much like any kid’s Christmas…the day centered primarily around myself, my siblings, and the gifts we received. Days of anticipation led up to that shining moment when we saw what was under the tree, and just as that anticipation peaked, we started ripping into presents and seeing what treasures we had to start the new year with.

Yes, I realize it sounds horribly vain, but let’s be honest, isn’t that what Christmas is about for most kids? Thankfully, as I got a little older I started to enjoy the giving as much as, if not more than, the receiving. Not to put myself on a pedestal or anything…I’m sure it was mostly because I was still receiving in large quantities…but I really did love giving my family their gifts as much as I liked opening mine. So Christmas started to take on additional meaning; it was no longer just about the goodies I got, but the people I received from and gave to that brought significance to the occasion.

Since we got married, things have shifted once again. Obviously (and appropriately so) my parents are no longer spending a small fortune on me. In the last few years, Brian and I have really enjoyed spending time and money picking out gifts that show each of us what the other means to us, and doing the same for our families. As DINKs (double income no kids), we were able to not only attach meaning to each carefully selected gift, but usually a decent pricetag too.

I won’t lie, I was a little bit anxious to see what this year would be like. With several weeks of only a fraction of my salary behind us, and another change in financial circumstances ahead of us, Christmas had to be less expensive this year. Brian and I each agreed to only buy one gift for eachother, and we weren’t able to spoil our families like we usually like to. In fact, my family decided to all pitch in on a special family photography session instead of exchanging gifts. We even agreed not to buy Avery a single thing since 1) she doesn’t know the difference and 2) our families were spoiling her anyways!

To be honest, I think it made us both kind of sad not to go out and pick out gifts for eachother and our families. After all, isn’t that what Christmas is all about? 

Not at all. This Christmas was up there with the rest of them. In fact, I’m sure you won’t be surprised at all to hear it was the best ever. Five years ago, or even two years ago, I could describe every gift I gave and received to you in great detail. This year, I hardly remember all of that, but I do remember a few special moments.

Like looking out into the crowd at Northway Church Colonie Christmas Eve as people met Jesus and received the gift of true peace for the very first time. Like standing over Avery’s crib early in the morning with Brian’s whole family after they’d only slept a couple of hours, watching her smile as we woke her up and they saw her for the first time since she was born. Like Brian and his mom and dad surprising Dave with two tickets to a Syracuse game next weekend, then turning around and surprising his Dad with another ticket, so he could go to. Or laughing hysterically Christmas night playing games and sipping coffee.

So I guess the greatest gift I received this year was not found in a carefully selected, meticulously wrapped gift under the tree. The greatest gift I found this year was much bigger and better than that. This year, I found Christmas.