Today is Christmas. It's finally here. What are you getting ready to do?
Maybe you're traveling to grandma's house like I am. Maybe your house is where the big feast is held and you're working hard alongside mom and dad to get everything in order. Potatoes are being mashed and sweet treats are getting decorated with sprinkles.
Perhaps you're opening gifts or carrying them along to the cousin's house for the big reveal. Does everyone open at once, or do you start with the oldest or the youngest? If it's snowing, you might be sipping hot chocolate in your PJs and watching little flakes fall. Do you play special movies on this special day?
Is it the tradition to have lunch or dinner in your household? How many family members join you in town? Do you go somewhere special or relax at home? What kinds of traditions do you follow? Is it poppers, or icing cookies, or playing board games? Is it opening presents first or heading the chapel first thing in the morning?
Whatever you're doing right now, enjoy it.
Christmas is the most wonderful day of the year, and it only comes once. There may be next year and other holidays to celebrate, but there is no other Christmas 2017. This is your chance to enjoy the day doing whatever familiar traditions you have.
Being in college means you're soon moving out, moving on, and moving up in the world. Your family won't always have you, and you won't always have them. Cherish these moments and don't let anything hold you down.
It doesn't matter what's inside all the boxes. Who cares if you overslept and are running a bit late. The coffee might have gotten cold, but you can always warm it up. Maybe the ham or the turkey isn't finished yet, but at least you have more time to chat before you're busy again.
No matter what small things may go wrong, don't let your attitude be changed. This is a day for happiness and joy, and nothing more. Forget about your stress, your troubles, your worries. Give it all to God and ask him to bless you with a wonderful Christmas day.
His son came into the world, died on the cross, and overcame death to give you the chance to have a relationship with God. Spend your Christmas with a heart of gratitude and a mind after Jesus. Share the gospel with the family and go to church if you can.
If you've never heard of the gospel, you should give it a read. The story of Christmas is a special one to know. There's more than presents, wrappers, and bows. There's Jesus Christ and the love he gave us all. And that's what I'm ready to celebrate on this day. Merry Christmas, and happy new year.
