I don't remember the gifts, but I do remember how excited I would get when our grown daughter would come over and stay with us at Christmas ... even though she had her own place. I do remember that last year my wife and daughter-in-law gave my son and me the fishing trip of a lifetime. I do remember that one of the couples in our small group has the group over for a fancy dinner every year around Christmas.
Then it dawned on me. What I loved about these gifts was "who" not "what." My best Christmas memories are of family and friends. It is being together to open the gifts. It is the meals together. It is watching the kids, and now the grandkids, playing together. It's seeing my parents and my in-laws watching the fourth generation growing up. That's the part of Christmas I wish could never end.
That is also what I love about being a Christian. It's the people. It's not church buildings, or ministry programs. It is belonging to a family, a community, a fellowship. Programs end and buildings collapse in time. But the people in my church family never end. We are together ... forever.
If you have thought Christmas is just about gifts, you may be disappointed. If you think church is just about the buildings and the programs, you will be disappointed. But if you want to know more about belonging to the family, the community, of believers ... I can help connect you. Write me at steve@hopeforlife.org. Or join our blog at www.hopeforlife.org
(Expressed written consent must be obtained prior to republishing, retransmitting or otherwise reusing the content of this article.
