As a young married couple, my husband and I now have the opportunity to start and carry on our Christmas traditions. This has made us both very contemplative over our favorite Christmas memories. I have been wondering what does Christmas really mean to me and how can I best have that Spirit this season.
Through my reminiscing, my mind fell upon a very simple memory, but the more I thought upon it, the more powerful it became. It was the first Christmas of our marriage. We were young, with a brand new baby boy and very little money or material possessions. We lived in a very small one bedroom studio apartment.
On Christmas morning, we invited two missionaries from our church to have Christmas breakfast with us. I wanted it to be extra special. With great excitement, I made pancakes and got out the special flavored syrups that were a real luxury for us. Delicately, I set the table with the table cloth and little bowls and plates that we had received at our wedding. I was so proud to give this breakfast.
Looking back, it was not the little plates, or fancy syrup that made this simple event so special to me, but it was the fact that I gave everything I could, the very best that I had, meager though it was, to another. I realize that this is the true meaning of Christmas that I want to share with my children this and every Christmas season.
This is all that the Lord asks of us. He does not demand that we give him incredible or grand gifts, only that we give the very best of ourselves to others. He gave the best of himself to us and that is the true spirit of Christmas.
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