This is Christmas.

I've gained a different perspective and a greater appreciation of Christmas this year. Being away from home and stressing about studying and finals during the time that I was accustomed to spending with my family and friends preparing for Christmas was a bit of a challenge. But in retrospect, I am grateful for the struggle I had. Grateful because I came away from it with a greater understanding of what Christmas is and what it isn't. I realized what I wanted, what I needed, and what I could do without. I learned what was important, what could take the back burner, and what things should be thrown out completely.

Christmas isn't found in boxes or underneath the tree. You can't buy it at a store or purchase it online. Christmas is found in baking with your mother and laughing while watching Elf with your  family, even though you've all seen it a hundred times before. Christmas is feeling the immense joy that can only be felt when serving others. Christmas is botched attempts at playing Christmas carols on homemade chimes. Christmas is anticipating the look on your little brother's face when he receives a present wrapped in four layers of wrapping paper and that is held together by three kinds of tape and at least a full yard of ribbon (Unfortunately I am not the giver of this gift...but it was my idea!). Christmas is singing loud for all to hear and crossing your fingers for snow. Christmas is watching miracles happen and getting the opportunity to play a small part in their execution. 

Christmas is found in all of those things, but it's so much more than that. Christmas, in its entirety, is found in celebrating the birth of our Savior. It's reading the Christmas story with your family and marveling at the events that took place so long ago in Bethlehem. It's trying to imagine how Mary felt as she held her tiny son, knowing that he was the son of God. It's remembering how Christ's birth has affected every moment of every day of your life. It's knowing that Christ willingly came to this earth--knowing that he'd suffer and be mocked and scorned and have to endure every pain and affliction--because He loves us.  That is Christmas. That is why we celebrate. 

I pray that we can all keep that in mind as we celebrate this marvelous, magical holiday. Take a few moments today, in-between eating delicious food and spending glorious moments with your family to remember Christ and remember all that He does for YOU. I know that it will make this Christmas mean just as much to you as it does to me. 

Merry Christmas!