MERRY Christmas

It's Christmas Day 2007.
How on earth did this year go by SO fast?
My mind still hasn't wrapped itself around the fact that the Christmas festivities are already a thing of the past, not to mention that 2007 is pretty much a done deal.

Yesterday morning, as Jim and I had our family Christmas with the kids, I realized how good it is to have days of celebration. I love the significance of Christmas being the celebration of Christ's coming, of course, but, beyond that, it's good just to CELEBRATE - to set aside routine, to set aside the press of everyday, and to just make MERRY with one another. I thought about the festivals and celebrations that God insisted upon for the Old Testament Israelites. These were important times of sacrifice, remembrance and focus, but often they involved gatherings, feasting and much rejoicing, too. Maybe now I understand a little better why this was important on so many levels.

We've had a good Christmas - a really MERRY Christmas. Our day together as a family was fun and pleasant, then the gatherings with Jim's and my families were good times to reconnect, enjoy holiday traditions and laugh and make new memories together. I know that in some families, gatherings AREN'T met with eager anticipation, so we consider ourselves VERY fortunate to be able to look forward to these times.

Cami and I were talking the other day about how much will be changing in our family in the next decade. It's a very exciting era ahead for the Clay family as our kids discover themselves more, go into and out of high school and maybe college, enter the workforce, explore their faith, etc.

A lot of life is going to happen in the next 365 days (or one-tenth of that decade I just mentioned), and before we know it, Christmas 2008 will be upon us. What's ahead excites me - and I know that's the Lord working in me. I'm excited to enjoy my family and tackle the challenges, to make merry whenever the opportunity arises and to rejoice in the salvation of the One we celebrate at Christmas-time.

To you and yours, from me and mine:
Here's to a very MERRY Christmas and coming year.