When I was a kid, I used to wake up for school during the month of December, and then I would open the living room door and turn on the Christmas tree; and then, I would stand in the doorway and just stare at it.  I am not sure why I used to do this.  Maybe because Christmas is my favorite holiday, and it only comes once a year.  All I remember is that it used to make me feel at peace; however, this is coming from someone who would wake up for school, and go in the kitchen and lie down in front of the heat vent right in front of the kitchen sink; it felt so warm and cozy, and I wanted to stay there and never leave.

My brothers and I were always blessed at Christmas time because we always got what we wanted and then some.  I would always wake up and sneak into the living room right as my parents had just laid down after putting our presents out; it would usually be around 2 or 3am.  I could not help myself because I was so excited; not just for me, but for everyone!  I believed in Santa for a while as a kid; maybe because I thought the world would be better off with someone like Santa in it, or just call me gullible and naive.  Either way, Saint Nick was real, and that is where Santa Clause derived from.

I remember a couple of Christmases where my brothers and me got into just a little trouble.  One year, all three of us got the same kind of themed dirt bike, and so we end up outside fighting over which one we wanted; now that was not Christmas-like I will admit, and it was barely day light outside.  Another time we got into trouble was when Pop showed my brothers and me that we had a new UNC basketball goal, so we were out there at around 5am playing basketball, and that did not please Pop, and I am sure the neighbors were not too thrilled either.  Of course, Pop had put the goal up, and the goal is still standing to this day at our old house on Graham Street.

I enjoy riding by the old house on Graham street from time to time because that is where most of my childhood memories lie.  All the times we shared Christmas in that house as a family will forever hold a special place in my heart.  If I should ever become rich(not likely) I would make the owners of that house an offer they could not refuse, so I could spend time there during Christmas; definitely some of the best days of my life, and I am grateful to God for those times.

On a slightly heavier note, the month of December seems to make me sad these days; I mean, do not get me wrong, I still love Christmas time, but things have changed so much since I was a kid.  There is that song that goes, “everything is changing and I don’t feel the same.”  This is how I feel.  Christmas is still my favorite holiday, but so many of the people I used to celebrate with are gone now: my father, and all of my grandparents.  At least I am fortunate enough to still have my wife, my mother, my brothers and other loved ones in my family that I love very much; sometimes, I am not very good at showing it.

On Christmas eve, I still feel like that little boy staring at the lit up Christmas tree at the house on Graham street; filled with the Holy Spirit, wonder, optimism and grace.  My only wish this Christmas is that you and your family are as happy as I am on Christmas.  Christmas is obviously not just about giving and receiving gifts; it is about Gods ultimate gift, Jesus Christ.  Have you ever stared at a lit Christmas tree in the dark?  It represents so much more than just a tree; it is the light of the world…

Merry Christmas!

Take care, and God bless!

Chris