Les says, tongue-in-cheek, that “True Christians open presents on Christmas Eve.” Of course, he thinks that’s the way to celebrate because it’s what his family did growing up. I, on the other hand, grew up in a home where we always opened our gifts on Christmas morning. I still recall the excitement of waking up early and rushing downstairs in my pajamas.
So what do we do each year? We open our gifts on Christmas Eve. Chalk one up for Les!
Actually, it was a mutual decision and, after all these years, I can’t imagine changing it. We love our cozy Christmas Eves. The evening typically begins with a service at our church where we sing some of the most sacred of Christmas hymns, followed by a scrumptious holiday dinner, and then gathering around the tree, putting elf hats on our boys and distributing the gifts one by one.
Now, if you happen to be newly married, you might still be working out your traditions, but you’ll soon have them.
Like a groove made just for us, we all seem to find our own traditions that work just right.
When Pastor Rick Warren, author of The Purpose of Driven Life, was three years old, he asked his mom why they celebrated Christmas. She explained that it was Jesus’ birthday. In a burst of preschooler inspiration, Rick concluded they should have a birthday party – with cake and Kool-Aid. And that’s what they did.
That little party began a tradition in the Warren family that has lasted over five decades. Every Christmas Eve they have angel food cake and candles. But that’s not all. Each family member takes a turn sharing his or her answers to two personal questions: “What, from the past year, are you thankful to God for?” and, “Since it’s Jesus’ birthday, what gift will you give him this next year?”
Not a bad tradition. In fact, we’ve adopted the two-question tradition in our own family this year. Les says he’s thankful for physical health. I’m thankful for longtime friendships. And what are we giving Jesus this coming year? We both said the same thing: More love. It’s among the most frequently used words in the Bible. And we’ve adopted this as our verse for the coming year: “Let all that you do be done in love”(I Corinthians 16:14).
How about you? Want to join us in this new Christmas tradition? Whether you’re ready for a new tradition or not, we hope your Christmas is filled with every good wish and prayer. And if you’re willing, we’d love to hear from you today. Let us know what you’re most thankful for as you celebrate the humble birth of Christ today.
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I am thankful this year to have all my children together for the first time in three years. It is truly a blessing from God. I too have pledged more Love to a fallen world. God expects no complaining on our part and offers no explanation on His. God wants to use us as He used His Son. Christ was used up in Love, may we all be so filled with that Love that we are blinded to ourselves and only see others as Christ did.
Keep up the great ministry you two have. I enjoy it so much.
Merry Christmas
Mike (Son WORSHIPPER)
Mike: What a blessing! Merry Christmas!
I am grateful to God for a happy home. Despite all the struggles and pain of this year! My marraige has weathered the storm amazingly well and I do not take it for granted. For this comming year, faithfullness and consistency to God’s word is my pledge, God helping me.
Some years are so tough – it’s a testament to the strength of your marriage and your reliance on God in the midst of the struggle and pain. God bless.
I really believe the question “since it’s Jesus’ birthday, what gift will you give him?” is an important element in turning the focus back on Jesus instead of the crazy commercialism that has taken over Christmas.
One of our children asked “if Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus, why are people buying so much gifts for those who do not need them? Don’t they get enough gifts on their birthdays?”
In grateful celebration of God’s limitless blessings on me, I’d rather share His blessings with the “least of these”. May the Lord Jesus help us to live so simply, that others may simply live.
Wow! Thanks for sharing this, Timothy.
What I am most thankful to God for this past year is His blessing me with a loving and caring family. The gift I shall give to Jesus this coming year is more devotion!
Wonderful! Laurie, don’t ever take your loving and caring family for granted. What a blessing this Christmas!
I am thankful for returning health and low stress. The gift I am giving Jesus is a stronger foundation through His grace.
Rhonda: Merry Christmas! Thanks so much for sharing this.
Please write an article explaining Rick’s supportive position on chrislam…mixing Christianity with islam.
Hmm. We’ll have to look into this, Burk. Merry Christmas to you.
To answer the question. We thank God for allowing our oldest son return to our home state safely after living away from home for four months on a new job. Then God allowed him to be able to transfer right back to where he started from. God knows our end as well as our beginning.
The cliche “Let go and Let God” is really crucial this upcoming year like never before.
Sometimes those little cliches are repeated often for good reason, huh? Merry Christmas!
I am thankful for my husband’s recovery from surgery.
I want to give Jesus trust in His plan for the timing of our home selling.
Annetta: Praise god for a good recovery for your husband! Wishing the very best for you two this Christmas!
I am so thankful for my little family! I married my dear Andy and got a 7-year old stepson in May. It has been an adjustment, living with his folks and getting used to a child in my life, but God has been there every step of the way and I am thankful for His unfailing love.
My gift to Jesus this year will be my becoming even more intentional in sharing Him with my stepson and my inlaws.
God bless your ministry!
How wonderful, Jean. We’ll say a prayer for you today.
Love traditions like this. It’s now after Christmas, I’ve sent our Christmas letter and everyone’s returned to work, so I’m going to begin this by writing my children and grandchildren an Epiphany letter. Yes, even in ‘old age’ God’s Grace is making it possible for us to keep bringing His Kingdom to earth.
BTW – Love you two, and everything you do! I’ve been a learner, follower of yours b.c., i.e. before your children. I pray God’s Richest and Best for you always! Love w/warm Hugs, RO
Rosemary, you are so kind. Wishing you the very best in 2014!
This year I am thankful to have gotten to know God in more tangible way in my life. This year, especially in my marriage, I have had to cling to God and wait patiently to see his salvation. I think this year I will give more obedience and pay it forward to more people.
Shawn: Thank you for sharing this with us. Praying for you today.
I am thankful for you two taking the time to send us your great emails that give us many great ideas. My husband and I have trouble telling each other things so thanks to you I send your emails to him and we talk to each other by email. We say things that we would have trouble saying face to face.
Thanks Les and Leslie and God Bless,
Sue
Sue: This is so fantastic to hear. It’s the very reason we write these little devotions. And we are so glad to hear that you are finding them helpful. It’s encouragement like this that fuels our passion for this. Blessings!