This is Brennon's first Christmas. It might be a little sparse but nevertheless it is still Christmas. I think growing up I had an expectation of what Christmas should be - good presents, dreams of toys and the like. Yet this year I am now the parent. I think as a parent I now get to live vicarously through Brennon. I get to enjoy his sense of wonder at the holidays, as mine is long gone. Although right now his sense of wonder is about discovering his hands in his mouth. He is such a cutie.

I think it is just a phase, but right now Christmas just feels like another day. When I put things into perspective I then see the forest through the trees. It really is just another day. There are millions of people out there who have no family at all. There are people who have nothing but the clothes on their backs or just enough rent to get by. They just want food and not toys and stuff. They experience reality without expectations. It can be a good lesson, but it is bad in that people can lose hope. For them the message that Christmas should bring is that Jesus was born to give them eternal life. And that is a neverending hope.

On the flipside, I think in these times I can see how greed has taken ahold of many a middle-upper class person and child. Somehow I can see the materialism very easy, especially since I live in the middle of it all. It is like those commercials where someone gets a Lexus for Christmas. It would be nice to have that choice, but does that mask the true meaning of Christmas? Is that the intention or byproduct of materialism? To hide a lack of spirituality in people who have no beliefs outside their own selves? Maybe. Part of me is thinking, our new house will be our Christmas present to ourselves. But, that is not true. We did not plan on it like that. This year we have to cut back on all of our gifts because of the house, but I think people won't mind. As far as giving and getting goes I can see that growing up I did most of the getting. I think children have this innate sense of selfishness, or was it just me? Maybe next year will be bountiful and we can start giving back again. But is Christmas really about money and presents? Is it even about giving? Is it about being with family and friends? No.

I have seen on a couple of Christmas movies "you see, Christmas means something different to everyone." While true, it should be noted that the word Christmas is supposed to be a celebration of Jesus's birth. At first it was a pagan holiday. Then Christians used it as a holiday to overshadow that day. And now in the past 200 years the Santa Claus holiday has overshadowed the Christian holiday. I think this year I am going to go the religious route to the Christmas spirit. This Christmas spirit is usually manifested as good memories, food, Santa, Rudolph, Frosty, Jesus's Birthday and old-time melodies. The true meaning of Christmas is salvation. From the birth of Jesus to his death and resurrection we can be assured of eternal life. We can celebrate and be joyous in that God's gift to man was His only son. And that is the true meaning of Christmas. Merry Christmas to One and ALL!