Christmas on The Hill

We put up our tree this past weekend. This year we opted for the pre-lit fake that we've had. Sarah wanted to go with the red and gold theme and then incorporate some of the ornaments that her mom made. I have to say it turned out absolutely beautiful. Sarah even picked out the perfect complimenting wrapping paper.

I have to say it's nice to not to have to worry about stuff like that now. As a single dad for so many long years I found it easy to get wrapped up in trying to take care of absolutely everything, even down to the details of wrapping paper and ornaments. I'm so thankful God has given me a wife who has a great eye for that kind of stuff and takes some of the load away!

We turn on the tree lights at night and the room fills with sparkles and reflections from the ornaments. It's peaceful. It's magical. It's wonderful. How nice to sit there in the living room with Sarah and Katie and just take in the sights of Christmas together.

It makes me think back to what the first Christmas on Gibson Hill must have been like. I can only imagine my grandaddy and granny going out into the woods to cut down the perfect cedar tree. I can see them there in there new living room putting up their first tree in their new house and adding the bulbs and all of the other frills. Now many years and many generations later we sit in the same spots and feel that same wonderful Christmas feeling inside. We think the same happy thought about our families. We worry about the gifts we can and can't get. It's all the same, just the names and faces aren't different.

Long after we've gone from the hill, hopefully our kids or their kids will also enjoy that wonder and awe of Christmas perched on top of the hill overlooking the world. The only thing that will forever remain the same is the fact that we celebrate Christmas for the sole purpose of celebrating Christ being born.

Emmanuel means "God with us." He has indeed come and He does indeed live. He really is the gift that keeps on giving. For those that don't know Him, He is the gift of salvation, forever forgiving them of their sins. For those that are hungry, he is gift of the bread of life. For those that are hopeless, He is the gift of hope and sercurity and peace.

He is God with us. He is not distant and unavailable. He is here for us now. Celebrate the gift of Christ that you have received and share that gift with others so that they may also know what it's like to truly celebrate the reality of Christmas.