But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11)
My aunt just posted a picture from Christmas Eve from a few decades back from my grandparents’ home – it shows a pile of gifts overflowing the tiny living room in their tiny house. Their home was always way too small and way too hot, but somehow it was always perfect. What that home lacked in size was more than compensated for by love.
Christmas Eve was always my favorite day of the year – not just for the gifts coming my way – but because it was the one day of the year I could see almost all of my family members. It was also the day I got to indulge on my grandmother’s cooking (and each pierogi and stuffed cabbage that she hand-crafted for countless hours to perfection). :)
As a young boy, I remember continuously sneaking peeks at that pile of gifts to see which ones were mine, and counting the minutes until it was officially time to open them (which seemed like forever). But looking at that picture now, I could care less about the boxes in the pile – I’m only wondering about the people stuffed in the house along with them (especially all the ones lost over the years). As much sadness as that can bring, thankfully there is greater joy – not only in the family members still here, but more importantly in the ever-living Savior, Jesus Christ, that my family came together to celebrate that Christmas Eve and all the others.