Christmas Memories

     Recently, we completed a remodeling project in our home. As we started to put things back, both my dear husband and I have been going through our possessions to dispose of things we no longer use or need.  As we looked through our boxes, we found pictures, news clippings and items given to us from our families.  What a flood of memories for both of us.
     In fact, I can close my eyes and see all the scenes of the snowy Christmases past.  There was the one horse open sleigh ride I had as a small child.  It had been a heavy snow day but my grandfather hitched up a horse to his sleigh and took my cousin and I on a ride of a lifetime.  Then, there were the 5 a.m. Christmas mornings when I tried in vain to wake everyone up because I wanted to see my gifts.  I remember my sister (8 years older than I) opening her bedroom door and throwing shoes at me down the hallway telling me to go back to bed.  All this and more as I think of my childhood home.  It was the same for my husband as he showed me pictures of his childhood.
     Pictures of our children when they were small made us smile as we recalled our many celebrations with them.  Now we have our grandchildren to enjoy watching.  Time grows more precious to us as we grow older, and this brings to my mind a song that has lived in my heart for many years:  "Heirlooms" by Amy Grant.  The words are simple but so meaningful at Christmas:
                                 
Up in the attic,
Down on my knees.
Lifetimes of boxes,
Timeless to me.
Letters and photographs,
Yellowed with years,
Some bringing laughter,
Some bringing tears.
Time never changes,
The memories, the faces
Of loved ones, who bring to me,
All that I come from,
And all that I live for,
And all that I'm going to be.
My precious family
Is more than an heirloom to me.
Wisemen and shepherds,
Down on their knees,
Bringing their treasures
To lay at his feet.
Who was this wonder,
Baby yet king?
Living and dying;
He gave life to me.
Time never changes,
The memory, the moment
His love first pierced through me,
Telling all that I came from,
And all that I live for,
And all that I'm going to be.
My precious savior
Is more than an heirloom to me.
My precious Jesus
Is more than an heirloom to me.
     I remember singing this song in church during the time my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimers so it has always been dear to my heart.  It reflected not only the precious gift of family but the even more priceless gift of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. This is the true meaning of Christmas and here is the invitation that God offers to each of us:  "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that Whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).  He loved us so much He sent His Son to pay the price for our sins.  All we have to do is repent (turn away) from our sin and believe in Him as our Savior.  We cannot earn salvation.  God gives it as a free gift to all who believe in Jesus Christ.
     This is the real heart of the Christmas celebration.  He came and we will never be the same.  Of all my memories, I will never forget the day that both my husband and I believed in Jesus Christ three months before we married.  It made such a difference in our life.  If you do not know Him, I pray that this Christmas you will make Him your Savior and Lord.  If you already know Him, rejoice knowing that God gave us the best gift we could ever have!  Merry Christmas from our house to yours!  Selah!