Merry Christmas

Aaah, vacation. The holidays. Ok, since we live 500+ miles away from any other portion of our family and have 2 young kids, I'm not sure that vacation and holidays belong in the same paragraph. They are quite fun (mostly), but, well, let's just say that my definition of "vacation" still needs a bit of adjusting. Quiet times of contemplation, resting, and sleeping these are not. But as my dear wife reminds me, this is but a short stage of life. A time will soon be here when Christmas is all too quiet. So I try to absorb and enjoy, not merely endure. Our kids are at the age where so much of the holiday season (and any season) is Wonder. The excitement is palpable. They are beginning to recognize traditions in our family. They are looking forward to seeing cousins and grandparents. And they know a few Christmas songs too. Benjamin was very excited to hear two of the songs he learned in preschool on the car radio. But in their 4 & 5 year-old way, they Get It, too. This isn't about them. This is about Jesus. They don't totally get what that means, I'm sure, but maybe, just maybe, there is a foundation building there. Merry Christmas.