CHRISTMAS.

What are your favorite memories of Christmas?

Mine is my Dad being so proud of himself for being able to afford to buy my four brothers bicycles from Otasco for Christmas in the early '70s. He put them on layaway for months and paid them off on December 24th. We snuck the boxes home in the station wagon and hid them in my uncle's garage.

At midnight, when he thought everyone was asleep from a car ride to see Christmas lights and get hot chocolate, he woke me up to help him. He couldn't afford to pay for the bikes and assembly, so we spent the next five hours assembling Huffy bicycles. We didn't know what to do, but great instructions made it quicker. Each bike took 1.25 hours, but we finished by 5 am, only to lay down for an hour before my brothers were awake.

OMG, the look on their faces was priceless, and the sound was almost deafening as you heard them scream with joy! Each one jumped on the bike with their names - Michael, Jay, Scott & Richard - and sat in our living room. It was the only gift they needed that year, but there was more to do before they could ride them, like eating breakfast, opening other presents, and visiting our great aunt and uncle next door.

After what seemed like forever, Dad aired the tires, and each boy headed outside. It didn't matter that it snowed in Salina, KS, for the first time in decades, so the streets weren't plowed yet. They skidded and slid across the snow to streams of giggles and screams of "watch out." It was fun to watch their pure joy.

I imagine that's how our heavenly Father felt when he sent his son, Jesus, to earth for us to celebrate the Savior's birth. The anticipation, excitement, and pure joy of the birth of the greatest servant leader ever.

Isaiah 9:6 states,

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called Wonder Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

As you consider your favorite memories, I hope the Savior will be included this year. May you find surprises and encounters in unusual places during this sacred Christmas season. May your wishes come true and your prayers be answered. May you discover the greatest gift to mankind and the biggest announcement that ever graced our lives. So important, that even the Angels sang about it.

Research that in Luke 2 (NIV).

Merry Christmas,

Beverly

#memories

#purejoy

#Jesus

#servantleadership