The Wonder of Christmas Morning

   As a child, when I still believed in Santa Claus, Christmas morning was the most exciting time of the year.  Our parents never placed any gifts under the tree until my brother and I were sound asleep on Christmas Eve. They kept every one hidden, even the gifts they admitted to giving us.

   I’ll never forget the anticipation of waking up (before anyone else) and padding my way to the living room. There, in the center of the room, sat the most glorious sight. Everything in the room seemed to sparkle, lit by the colorful lights and tinsel of the Christmas tree. Unknown wonders were piled around the tree in beautifully wrapped packages. The most exciting were the few gifts that weren’t wrapped. There was always a special toy or two, for my brother and for me, strategically placed among the packages to complete the magic wonderland effect.
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   It’s been many, many years since I’ve believed in Santa Claus, but Christmas held the same wonder throughout my teen and young adult years.

   I continued the tradition with my children. No gifts in view until Christmas morning.  I was as excited to see their faces as I had been to discover my own gifts years before.

   My children are grown and have their own homes now. It’s been quite a few years since there have been little ones in my house to wake up on Christmas morning. But the wonder and excitement is still there. Now, when I wake up and turn on the Christmas lights, I sit with my coffee and contemplate the true Light who came into our world that first Christmas morning. I think about the gifts of life and love he brought. I think about the surprise blessings that are new every morning.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 ESV

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