Today as the gifts are opened and the food is eaten, there is still plenty of magic to go around.

Last night I attended our annual Christmas service and I watched the people come in, I thought what a wonderful time of the year. As I saw the people coming in, I saw the hugs and I saw the laughter. I also saw tears and bewilderment on some. “Why am I here?” “How long does this last?” I wandered around getting to as many as I had a chance, but at some point it gets too much because there are too many. It was beautiful.

I came home and broke out cookies and eggnog. Family was here. After the kids packed off to bed and my daughter wrapped their presents, I watched A Wonderful Life. (My wife said it was “hokey”. Me, I see my life as a wonderful life. I have made mistakes and things did not always work out, BUT GOD!) Even as George scrambled about looking for the life that he “did not have”, seeing the devastation caused by not being there, he changed his mind. Being there is important.

You are important. The world is not better off without you. It is better off with you.

When I was a child our parents made Christmas special. It often seemed like it was the one day of the year where hope could arise in me, unshackled from the difficulties of days gone by. Over December, advent cards would appear. Foods and candies would be made for neighbors and friends. The booze would pour freely. The tree would be decorated and presents would soon grace the room. The mantle had stockings and beautiful Christmas decorations. The handmade sleigh my dad made out of hangers and wood and lots of love would hold it’s annual gift offering. It was Christmas. It was magical for me. It changed my year.

So many it seems, struggle. Whether it be with the finances or the family. No presents or too many presents. I wish it was better. I wish I could give you some of mine. I have helped my family come out of the despair that only craziness can make. I sat here last night with family and I wanted to bottle it. To give it away.

Even as I sit here this morning while it is quiet and the tree sparkles next to me, I think, if there was no tomorrow what could I do today? Not out of guilt or fear, but how cool would it be to “make another’s day”?

I guess I should get started on that… Making another’s day!

Thank you for those that read what I write, sharing it with others. Thank you for the sites that carry my blogs and reach thousands I will never know. (Only yesterday I heard from a young man, “I am following you because there is something I can learn.”)

May this Christmas be your turnaround. May the God of peace deliver unspeakable joy to where you are. May the circumstances that engulf you be overturned in the midst of His goodness.

God bless each one of you and Merry Christmas!