Celebrate the Reason, not just the season

It is December 23rd and I still do not have the Christmas shopping done.  To be honest, I really haven't started.  This year I haven't felt like buying Christmas.  I didn't forget a word there, I mean I didn't feel like buying Christmas.  Now don't get me wrong, there will be a couple gifts under the tree for each of our children, but this year I am not going overboard.  I am not stressing over it.  I am not looking for that perfect toy that will make my children happy.  That is, after all, not the happy I want them to achieve this Christmas season.

I want my children to see that their joy comes from God.  I want them to see that they have already been given the absolute best present anyone could ever give them.  I want them to know that Jesus is that present.

And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. Matthew 1:21

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.  Luke 2:7

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.  

John 1:14

I have been teaching them and showing them that Jesus is the reason for the season, but I must admit, I am disappointed that I have not been teaching them giving as much as I should.  I want them to grow up thinking of Christmas as a time when you give, not receive, because there is no gift that they could receive better than the gift of Jesus Christ.

Lord, I pray that we teach our children to give with a joy that comes only from You.  I pray that as they grow that they give with all praise and glory going to You.